Refrigerator on GFCI

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I would concede that a countertop recept. being used for the refrig. would be in line with the provisions of 210.8(a)(6)....

BUT using the reference of 210.8(a)(7) might still be incorrect - and using the commentary of 210.8(a)(7) to enforce 210.8(a)(6) really raises a hairy eyebrow.

This would be a typical wet bar sink:
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Here is an installed "sink"- is this in a dwelling unit or an office setting?
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Who knows?


IF this were a dwelling unit, which article would apply - 210.8(a)(7) or 210.8(a)(6)?

IMHO, a sink in the kitchen of a dwelling unit is a kitchen sink.
A sink by a bar is a wet bar sink.
If you put a typical wet bar sink in the kitchen, it's a kitchen sink.
If you put a typical kitchen sink in a bar, it's a wet bar sink.
For those that disagree with my opinion(s)....if I put a kitchen sink in the bar - does 210.8(a)(7) even apply?
 
celtic said:
takelly said:
The Interpretation on the bottom of page 74 of the 2005 Handbook. It is at the end of 210.8(A)(7)
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Click to expand...
Thanks, celtic. I missed that detail. Since the citation from the Handbook relates to laundry, utility, and wet bar sinks, the Inspector has no business using it in connection with a kitchen sink.

celtic said:
I would concede that a countertop recept. being used for the refrig. would be in line with the provisions of 210.8(a)(6)....
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I agree. The countertop receptacle was put there to serve the countertop. That is the reason it requires GFCI. If the owner chooses to plug in a fridge, then the fridge gets plugged into a GFCI.

celtic said:
IMHO, a sink in the kitchen of a dwelling unit is a kitchen sink.
A sink by a bar is a wet bar sink.
If you put a typical wet bar sink in the kitchen, it's a kitchen sink.
If you put a typical kitchen sink in a bar, it's a wet bar sink.
Click to expand...
I agree.
 
I agree with most everyone here that I would not put a GFI outlet in for the refrigerator. GFI don't always like motor loads for some reason, and remember they are not required in the garage if the outlet is for the laundry circuit and the code does say outlets in the garage.

Of course there is always the fix of put in he GFI, get your job card signed and then change it back to a regular receptacle.

Not that I would ever condone this as an inspector. :wink:
 
I don't have a handbook for 2002. But if there is anything comparable to Exhibit 210.13 in it. Have inspector look at that and see what he has to say about it. It clearly shows a receptacle for refrigerator without GFCI.
Exhibit 210.25 shows refrigerator receptacle located next to sink without GFCI. Exhibit 210.26 show refrigerator receptacle located 2' from sink without GFCI. This is all in 2005 Handbook.
I don't know if 2002 has any of it shown.

I would definitely ask him to look at these in the 2005 even if they aren't in 2002. Additionally if you use 210.51 B1 Exception #2 which is: The receptacle outlet for refrigeration equipment shall be permitted to be supplied from an individual branch circuit rated 15 amps or greater.

It makes no mention of having GFCI protection on this circuit.
 
I think what we need to know is the fridge plugged into a countertop receptacle. If it is a GFCI protected receptacle is required. If it is plugged into a receptacle that does not serve the kitchen countertop, GFCI protection is not required. How hard is this????
 
I would like to thank everyone who took the time to respond to my question.
The receptacle in question is behind the refrigerator, but less than 6ft from the sink.
I called the inspector with the information that I had gotten form this form along with the references to Exhibit 210.24 and 210.26 in the 2005 Handbook.

He said that was fine with him, that he was knew and still had a lot to learn about the CODE. He thanked me (actually you people) for pointing it out to him. He also said he has learned more about the code by inspecting and working out problems than in 30 years of wiring.

He seemed very human and open about talking about anything that we would have questions on

Thanks everyone
 
I would like to thank YOU, takelly.

Thanks for finding this forum
Thanks for asking the question.
Thanks for not just crumbling to the whim of an inspector (no offense to your inspector or any of the many inspectors of this forum).
Thanks for talking to your inspector .

I hope you will stick around and maybe help someone else that gets into a similar position.
 
Nice to hear the inspector was actually willing to admit that he wasn't the Great and Powerful Wizard of Code. I have a lot more respect for the ones that will admit they were wrong rather than erroneously stick to their guns with the ever-infamous "I am the AHJ" attitude.

Then again, the ones I deal with are pretty sharp. I can only recall one inspector I've disagreed with, and she lost her job recently. Maybe there is some justice in the world. :D
 
Hey Jeff, I just noticed.

Combining the security of self-employment with the prestige of blue-collar work.

I've know for years that blue collar work had prestige, but I wasn't sure anyone else knew it. Good job. :)
 
Wow, avoid this board for a week and this is what I miss. WOW. :? To the original poster, you asked the question, you got the answer, (the correct answer not the inspectors wacked out answer) and then you defend the inspector and fold like a chep tent. Why bother? :roll:
 
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