Pool heat pump / Gfci protection?

[nizak]

Does current code require GFCI protection for a heat pump on an inground pool?

The unit is 208/230 V single phase. Max breaker size 50A per nameplate.

What about an installation in 2008, would it have been required then?

Thank you.

 

[kwired]

Does current code require GFCI protection for a heat pump on an inground pool?

The unit is 208/230 V single phase. Max breaker size 50A per nameplate.

What about an installation in 2008, would it have been required then?

Thank you.

without looking I'm guessing not required, reason is these are not exactly "direct acting" like a resistance heater would be, neither would a gas fired heater. Circulation pumps would need protection though.

If I find something that says otherwise I will come back and post it.

 

[peter d]

I connected one last year for a contractor I was working for, we put it on a GFCI breaker.

 

[Little Bill]

I've wired a couple and neither required GFCI per the instructions. I already know the NEC doesn't require it.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I agree with Bill --not required but I don't know why....

 

[kwired]

680.22(D) requires it to be at least 10 feet from inside walls of the pool.

680.21(A)(1) requires branch circuits for pool associated motors to have an insulated copper EGC. Don't know if they would intend that to include a heat pump compressor or not.

680.21(C) requires the circulating pump to be GFCI protected.

I don't believe there is much hazard to pool users should there be a ground fault on the heat pump if those rules are followed.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

680.21(A)(1) requires branch circuits for pool associated motors to have an insulated copper EGC. Don't know if they would intend that to include a heat pump compressor or not.

That has changed a bit in the 2017 NEC

680.21(A) Wiring Methods. The wiring to a pool motor shall comply
with (A)(1) unless modified for specific circumstances by
(A)(2), (A)(3), (A)(4), or (A)(5).
(1) General. Wiring methods installed in the corrosive environment
described in 680.14 shall comply with 680.14(B) or
shall be type MC cable listed for that location. Wiring methods
installed in these locations shall contain an insulated copper
equipment grounding conductor sized in accordance with
Table 250.122 but not smaller than 12 AWG.
Where installed in noncorrosive environments, branch
circuits shall comply with the general requirements in Chapter
3.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

New Section in the 2017 Nec. So gas-fired needs gfci but not a heat pump--- I don't get it. I also don't understand what it means when it says "voltages above the low-voltage contact limit".

680.28 Gas-Fired Water Heater. Circuits serving gas-fired
swimming pool and spa water heaters operating at voltages
above the low-voltage contact limit shall be provided with
ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.