SWIMMING POOL LOW VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER

G

gsstaley@sbcglobal.net

Member
Location
Houston
pool cabinet is located 20' from the pool, and has a low voltage transformer installed below it, feeding the pool lights.
1- is the XFMR considered an outdoor outlet requiring GFCI protection?
2- does the voltage of the secondary of the XFMR dictate that no GFCI protection is required?
 
That's a good question.
Taking into consideration the definition of an "outlet" and also taking into consideration the exception for "lighting outlets" in 210.8(F), I can see why LittleBill didn't answer :)
I also will await some of those more versed in the Code.
 
augie47 said:
That's a good question.
Taking into consideration the definition of an "outlet" and also taking into consideration the exception for "lighting outlets" in 210.8(F), I can see why LittleBill didn't answer :)
I also will await some of those more versed in the Code.
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Chicken!

(3) GFCI Protection, Lamping, Relamping, and Servicing.
Ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel shall
be installed in the branch circuit supplying luminaires operating
at voltages greater than the low-voltage contact limit.
 
gsstaley@sbcglobal.net said:
So, per Art 100 for Low Voltage Contact Limit, if the secondary voltage is 12.4v DC (or less) no GFCI protection would be required, but 24v AC would require it on the XFMR? :oops:
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Low Voltage Contact Limit. A voltage not exceeding the following
values:
(1) 15 volts (RMS) for sinusoidal ac
(2) 21.2 volts peak for nonsinusoidal ac
(3) 30 volts for continuous dc
(4) 12.4 volts peak for dc that is interrupted at a rate of 10 to
200 Hz
 
If it's listed as a "swimming pool transformer" as required by Code it is almost assuredly an acceptable low voltage limit.
 
One thing to note, I didn't see whether the transformer was cord and plug or not. If it is, then GFCI would be required, low voltage or not. Meaning the 120V would have to be. That's not a 680 rule, but is a 210.8 rule for outside receptacles.
 
I'm not accustomed to the 2023 yet but would 210.8F requiring GFCIZ on outdoor outlets (not just receptacles) require the transformer primary to be gfci protected ??
 
augie47 said:
I'm not accustomed to the 2023 yet but would 210.8F requiring GFCIZ on outdoor outlets (not just receptacles) require the transformer primary to be gfci protected ??
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That is what I thought was driving the question. 210.8(F) is pretty encompassing. So maybe the original poster should clarify where the "pool cabinet" is. Is that cabinet on an exterior wall outside? Even if it is in an accessory building it would still be in scope. The only exception seems to be lighting outlets and HVAC equipment (but that one has an expiration date). So the lighting outlet adds another gray area. This is a lighting circuit, but is the transformer a light? A ballast or transformer integral to a light fixture I would call a lighting outlet. A separate one, maybe??

This question may be a call the inspector to get a ruling. Or just GFCI it and be done.
 
augie47 said:
I'm not accustomed to the 2023 yet but would 210.8F requiring GFCIZ on outdoor outlets (not just receptacles) require the transformer primary to be gfci protected ??
Click to expand...
It's not in evidence whether this is at a dwelling or not. If it is not, 210.8(F) can not apply. If it is, and the transformer is hardwired, and you consider the transformer and its secondary wiring to be part of the premises wiring, then the only outlet is at the luminaire. Then as that outlet is a lighting outlet, 210.8(F) Exception 1 would not require GFCI protection of that outlet.

Not so familiar with 680, but I assume "pool lights" means underwater lights, in which case 680.23(A)(3) would be operative, as quoted in post #4, with the low voltage contact limit quoted in post #6. If the lights are operating at voltage not above the contact limit, then 680.23(A)(8) requires a listed transformer.

Cheers, Wayne
 
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