Pool Pump GFCI Protection

[czars]

--BEWARE-- According to Hayward, their variable speed, computer controlled, pool pumps create a significant amount of electrical noise when they start up and that noise is put on the power conductors going to the pump. As a result, some GFCI circuit breakers will trip as soon as the pump attempts to start. Hayward Tech Support recommends that Siemens GFCI breakers be used, although they do not identify that in their literature. I know for a fact that the Cutler Hammer BR GFCI breakers will not work with the pumps, but I do not know if the GE or Square D breakers will work or not. I personally have had problems with the CH BR breakers and have had no problems with the Siemens.

Siemens sells a SPA panel with a 60A GFCI breaker (QF260) installed (W0408L1125SPA60) and the same panel without the breaker (W0408ML1125U) that can be used a small sub-panels.

I have not received any indication from Hayward that they intend to do anything about the pump generated electrical noise.

 

[thebigmt]

Hayward pool pump

Hayward pool pump

I am having a problem with this brand of variable speed pool pump at my house right now. It's driving me nuts because the pool company would not let me install the electrical equipment for the pool equipment (and still honor the warranty). So now I have a pool pump that trips periodically on start-up.

It all started after they installed everything and I began reading the manual on how to operate the pump controls. First page in the Hayward manual says it must be protected by a GFCI breaker. I checked the NEC, yep, sure enough. So I called the pool company and they sent their electrician out and he installed a Pentair GFCI breaker. The pump began tripping it on start up, periodically. So I called Hayward and they spec the Siemens QF220 GFCI breaker. So they swapped that and it seems to have slowed the tripping problem from 1 or 2 times per week on start up to once so far in the last 3 weeks. But it was still on start-up.

Now something even more crazy. The pump has it's own circuit and the LED lighting for the pool has it's own circuit. When turning the switch on and off (to change colors) the pool pump will trip the GFCI breaker--THE LIGHTS REMAIN ON. I haven't been able to trouble shoot it myself due to crappy weather but I did call the master for the pool company and he didn't have a clue why it would be doing it.

Things to take into consideration:

The electrician installed (2) 20 amp 12/2 circuits---from a sub-panel located by my main panel on the other side of the house from where the pool equipment is located. Approximately 100 feet away. We needed the sub-panel for the 'special' Siemens breaker Hayward recommended.

One 20 amp circuit goes to the smart controller that operates the pump/motor

One 20 amp circuit goes to a 20amp GFCI duplex receptacle. That feeds a small transformer/switch/Led pool lighting.

The control wiring (12/2 NM) for the switch (on my patio) is installed in a 3/4" PVC conduit with the two 12/2 NM cables from the sub panel (violation, I know) on the outside of my house.

It's not the way I would have done it.

Could the pump GFCI be reacting to "leakage" and tripping? I can't figure out--without pulling stuff apart--why the LED lights would have anything to do with it but I have been able to cause the pump GFCI to trip 3x by flipping the lights on and off. Again, the lights and pump are totally separate.

I spoke with the pool electrician and they think its a faulty motor, however, it will not trip on a standard 2 pole breaker.

Thoughts?

 

[Hayward1]

Hayward Variable Speed Pump

Hayward Variable Speed Pump

thebigmt---

I am the Contact Center Supervisor at Hayward Pool Products. We would like help resolve the issue that you are having with your pool pump. If you would like assstance, please provide your contact information and someone will get in touch with you.

 

[mopowr steve]

Sounds like you could possibly have a noise issue also coming from LED driver which are also notorious for noise.