Pool light GFCI

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be4jc

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Swimming pool lights require gfci protection.
Today I came across a pool light that was run through a gfci receptical for protection.
Is this a legal application?
NOTE: I was unable to test to see if light will shot off by testing gfci because no water in the pool & the light must be submerged
 
Re: Pool light GFCI

My pool light is the same way. I've been told that you must have a GFCI breaker, but when pressed no one could tell me why. The only issue I see in the code book is the rule outlawing splicing of the EGC to the pool light (this is only permitted at the light junction box, switches, and a few other exceptions, and a GFCI receptacle is not one of them). In my circuit, there are two EGC's -- a short one that only goes to the GFCI and a long one that goes all the way to the light junction box.
 
Re: Pool light GFCI

Look at section 680.23(3) It says a GFCI shall be installed in the branch circuit suppling luminaires(fixtures) operating at more than 15 volts. The key word is branch circuit. To me that means that the entire branch circuit will be protected not only the portion extending from the load side of a GFCI recpt.

Romeo
 
Re: Pool light GFCI

The GFCI is attached to the pool controler panel board probably a 12" jumper from 20 amp breaker to GFI. Thats really close to the complete circuit. Is that acceptable to you? or would you require a GFCI Breaker
Thank You for all input on this matter
 
Re: Pool light GFCI

The code says "GFCI Protection, Relamping. A ground-fault circuit interrupter shall be installed in the branch circuit supplying luminaires (fixtures) operating at more than 15 volts, so that there is no shock hazard during relamping. The installation of the ground-fault circuit interrupter shall be such that there is no shock hazard with any likely fault-condition combination that involves a person in a conductive path from any ungrounded part of the branch circuit or the luminaire (fixture) to ground."

Certainly, a GFCI breaker provides this level of protection. But why have all these other words if you're allowing choices other than a GFCI breaker? The GFCI receptacle is INSTALLED IN the branch circuit. I think all those other words are saying that the light must be on the load side of the installed GFCI.

[ May 24, 2005, 04:00 PM: Message edited by: suemarkp ]
 
Re: Pool light GFCI

If I were inspecting that installation I would require a GFCI breaker in the panel. That is how I interpret 680.23(A)(3). It doesn't

say GFCI protection for the pool light it says GFCI protection in the branch circuit supplying the light and that includes all of the branch circuit.

That is my opinion and that is what I would require. However I can be wrong just as well as anyone else. Romeo
 
Re: Pool light GFCI

What do the manufactures installation instructions say?
I would agree that it should be the entire branch circuit. I do not see any exceptions that refer to this installation:

be4jc

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The GFCI is attached to the pool controler panel board probably a 12" jumper from 20 amp breaker to GFI. Thats really close to the complete circuit. Is that acceptable to you? or would you require a GFCI Breaker
Thank You for all input on this matter
Click to expand...
 
Re: Pool light GFCI

The manufacturer does not care if it is GFI protected or not.
In other words there is no mention of it in the package install specs. for the luminaire
I guess That what I am looking for more than anything else is Will this system save lives if there is a ground fault in the luminaire?
There is no way to test!
Thank You, GOD Bless America
 
Re: Pool light GFCI

it says GFCI protection in the branch circuit supplying the light
Click to expand...
If it really says "in the branch circuit" (I haven't looked it up) how can you claim that means at the source of the branch circuit.

If the circuit supplies 5 receptacles, and then the GFI, the GFI is still "in" the branch circuit.

Steve
 
Re: Pool light GFCI

hi folks, my experience is that the GFCI receptacle is legal and safe. i have only wired swimming pools and spas for the past four years. and i don't carry ground fault breakers on my truck, only receptacles. of a thousand or so pools, in a three county area centered on orlando, florida, every inspector has had multiple opportunities to flunk GFCI receptacles and noone ever has. besides, doesn't the code use the term GFCB or GFBI when referring to ground fault breakers? it uses GFCI when referring to breakers or receptacles. i also like steve66's interp. be4jc, the water is for cooling, you can turn on the luminaire for short intervals without water as long as it doesn't overheat.
 
Re: Pool light GFCI

Hey guys I told I could be
wrong and in this case I may be. I think Steve66 is correct the GFCI protection may be placed any where in the branch circuit. I think the intent of the NEC here is to not allow a GFCI breaker protecting a feeder to a remote panel or control panel serve as protection for the branch circuit serving the pool light.
 
Re: Pool light GFCI

If I were inspecting that installation I would require a GFCI breaker in the panel. That is how I interpret 680.23(A)(3). It doesn't

say GFCI protection for the pool light it says GFCI protection in the branch circuit supplying the light and that includes all of the branch circuit.
Click to expand...
The words "in the branch circuit" mean anywhere in the circuit not just the beginning so a GFCI receptacle would be fine. I fail to see how this means that only a GFCI breaker is required.
 
Re: Pool light GFCI

Infinity Read my last post. I agree. I made a wrong interpretation It is great to have this forum to correct such errors. Thanks for pointing it out to me.

Romeo
 
Re: Pool light GFCI

Article 680.5 States that GFCI's shall be self contained units, CB or Receptacle types, or other listed types. Which says to me I can use anything I want to on a pool as long as the underground portion is GFCI protected.
 
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