Swimming Pool pump motor GFCI

[electrify-U]

680.21 (C) requires single phase 120-240-volt pool pump motors be GFCI protected.
Does a heat pump compressor pump need to be GFCI protected?
Is it a "pool pump motor"?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

All the heat pumps for swimming pools I have seen did not require gfci, however with the New 2020 that may be an issue for some.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Now one can argue that a pool is not a dwelling unit and perhaps that could fly.

(F) Outdoor Outlets.

All outdoor outlets for dwellings, other than those covered in 210.8(A)(3), Exception to (3), that are supplied by single-phase branch circuits rated 150 volts to ground or less, 50 amperes or less, shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.
Exception:
Ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection shall not be required on lighting outlets other than those covered in 210.8(C).

 

[electrify-U]

This compressor pump is part of the pool heating system physically separated from the pool but it does heat the pool water.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I know-- I have installed them.... You need to bond them with all the other pool equipment but unless the 2020 nec changed things no gfci was needed

 

[electrify-U]

This pool is at a dwelling unit.
I see your point. Is it considered part of the dwelling unit or not a dwelling unit.
Thanks for the added information.
Both comments were helpful.
In summary: Putting it on a GFCI would be the safest route.
No one could argue that as not the best.
If a person choose to put it on a breaker other than GFCI, that person may be asked to change it or perhaps defend his or her decision.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

One issue is that heat pumps for home are required to have gfci protection in the 2020 nec but there have been problems with it. Unless the unit calls for gfci I would not add it