Pool Light GFCI

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Desert Sparky

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Location
Desert
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Electrical Engineer
I'm working on the design for a small backyard addition, which will include a pool with a single pool light fixture. I'd like to extend power from an existing GFCI-type receptacle to feed this pool light, but want to confirm I'm meeting the GFCI requirements in 680. In addition, the pool light will also be switched.

Can the existing GFCI-outlet provide code required GFCI-protection for the pool light per 680.23(3) & 680.23(F)? Or would I need to provide an additional blank face GFCI in between the light switch and the light fixture, down stream of the existing receptacle? My concern is adding the second blank face GFCI could cause nuisance tripping at the existing GFCI receptacle.

Thoughts?
 
Are you really planning to use a line voltage light in a pool??? The only type of pool light I would even think about would be one that operates below the low voltage contact limit and is supplied by a listed pool light power supply.

There is no reason you can't use the existing circuit, and adding a second GFCI will not cause nuisance tripping at the GFCI receptacle. The only possible issue is that if a ground fault occurs on the load side of the downstream GFCI (assuming the downstream GFCI is fed by the load terminals of the GFCI receptacle) is that either or both of the GFCIs may trip.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
Are you really planning to use a line voltage light in a pool??? The only type of pool light I would even think about would be one that operates below the low voltage contact limit and is supplied by a listed pool light power supply.

There is no reason you can't use the existing circuit, and adding a second GFCI will not cause nuisance tripping at the GFCI receptacle. The only possible issue is that if a ground fault occurs on the load side of the downstream GFCI (assuming the downstream GFCI is fed by the load terminals of the GFCI receptacle) is that either or both of the GFCIs may trip.
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Thanks for the input. The 120V light is being specified by the pool guy - wouldn’t be my first choice either.

You raise a good point: perhaps the better installation is to feed off of the line side of the existing outlet (not the load side) and just provide the blank face GFCI for protection of the light fixture separately down stream. Do you concur?
 
If I had a built in backyard pool or spa I'd light it with fiber-optic. Some pool guys say fiber optic is 'outdated' but in the telcom/communications world its the next best thing.
All I know is no matter what it cant shock me and it looks cool.
 
Desert Sparky said:
Thanks for the input. The 120V light is being specified by the pool guy - wouldn’t be my first choice either.
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If I was either the contractor or the engineer, I would simply refuse to provide any connections for a line voltage light in a pool. If that means I walk away from the job, so be it.
 
Desert Sparky said:
The 120V light is being specified by the pool guy
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Tell the pool guy to rethink and specify a low voltage pool light. Of the many pools I have done the electrical for, they all have been low voltage. I did one line voltage but it was a remodel and the wiring was already in place. All I did was the bonding for the niche and the EGC from the JB to the light niche.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
adding a second GFCI will not cause nuisance tripping at the GFCI receptacle
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Saw pond pump trip a GFCI, until redundant protection was removed.

First opening at kitchen counter also powered exterior-wall GFCI.

Don’t know why it happened, but moving exterior GFCI branch to line-side of kitchen AF/GF solved the problem.
 
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