Swimming Pool Gfci Protection 680.22(C) 2011NEC

[Dennis Alwon]

The 2011 did a rewrite of article 680.22(C) and moved it to 680.21(C). I believe the intent was to make all pumps rated 20 amps or less to be GFCI protected whether cord & plug or direct wiring. Here is the rewrite:

680.21(C) --Formerly 680.22(C)--GFCI Protection. Outlets supplying pool pump motors connected to single-phase, 120 volt through 240 volt branch circuits, rated 15 or 20 amperes, whether by receptacle or by direct connection, shall be provided with ground-fault circuit interrupter protection for personnel.

If the pump is rated 12 amps then we can use a #12 wire at 75C and install a 25 or 30 amp breaker based on 250% in art 430. and thus does not need GFCI protection because the circuit is rated 25 amps. Is that correct?

 

[xformer]

I would say no because the word "rating" in the code section cited does nor correspond to the branch circuit, it relates back to the motor...

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I would say no because the word "rating" in the code section cited does nor correspond to the branch circuit, it relates back to the motor...

But the circuit is rated 25 amps and that is what the article states.

 

[ceb58]

Is it really worth splitting hairs over?

 

[krisinjersey]

Outlets

Outlets

The first word of that section is Outlets, so I take that as meaning outlets. but the second part is whether direct wired or cord and plug connected, so does that mean the "outlet" is direct wired or cord and plug connected? If the pump is direct wired there would be no oulet so where is the need for GFCI protection?

 

[augie47]

The "rating" of the branch circuit is determined by the OCP device.
210.3 Rating.
Branch circuits recognized by this article shall be rated in accordance with the maximum permitted ampere rating or setting of the overcurrent device.
So I would say the 25 or 30 amp OCP "trumps" the 12 amp motor rating, and, as good of an idea that the GFCI would be, it's not required.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Is it really worth splitting hairs over?

Well, yes. especially if it was written to avoid this.

The first word of that section is Outlets, so I take that as meaning outlets. but the second part is whether direct wired or cord and plug connected, so does that mean the "outlet" is direct wired or cord and plug connected? If the pump is direct wired there would be no oulet so where is the need for GFCI protection?

Read the definition of outlet in the NEC. It does not have to be a receptacle to be an outlet.

Outlet. A point on the wiring system at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

The "rating" of the branch circuit is determined by the OCP device.

I don't agree with that. I can have a 20 amp wire on a 40 amp breaker but that circuit is not rated 40 amps.

 

[augie47]

I can only go by what the book says

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I can only go by what the book says

Yeah, that's the problem.

It seems the intent of this change was to include 208V motors which apparently were unintentionally excluded in the last code cycle. So I guess one could circumvent the NEC and install a 25amp cb and not have gfci.

 

[marti smith]

Could you not apply 680.22 (A)(1)(4)?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Could you not apply 680.22 (A)(1)(4)?

Sure if it is cord and plug but every pool pump I have installed has been direct wired.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I can only go by what the book says

Gus, are you referring to art. 210.3? That is for branch circuits in that article (article 210). Is there another section that states otherwise?

 

[augie47]

Gus, are you referring to art. 210.3? That is for branch circuits in that article (article 210). Is there another section that states otherwise?

From your logical standpoint, I think there should be, but I have not found it.