Swimming Pools & Article 680.28

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Dennis Alwon

Dennis Alwon

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The 2017 Nec has a new article (680.28) and I am wondering if someone can explain what the bold section means. I know there is a section in 411, I believe that has similar wording. What does it mean and how would one know if the unit operates above the low voltage contact limit.

680.28 Gas-Fired Water Heater. Circuits serving gas-fired
swimming pool and spa water heaters operating at voltages
above the low-voltage contact limit shall be provided with
ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.
Click to expand...
 
Well, I talked with a tech support from Jandy Pool Motors and he was never asked this question but said the trany is 24v so IMO, that would mean gfci--NO since the definition shows lower limits.. He didn't know the dc rating but said it was very low

From 680 NEC said:
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
Click to expand...
 
Greetings Dennis,

The point of this addition was to ensure that a GFCI Device is used on those circuits that indeed have connections that are above that low voltage contact limit as most of these water heaters do. See manual here - https://www.poolsupplyunlimited.com/Products/Manuals/44600_2010325102438.pdf

Here was the Public Input :

The existing Code text does not address the electric circuits of gas-fired pool heaters. Ground fault protection for personnel is being extended to those installations also.

Ground fault protection for personnel is not being extended for electric water heater installations. Risk of electric shock is considered adequately mitigated through the use of grounding and the listing installation requirement for the use of current collectors on the input and output. These have proven reliable to prevent unacceptable levels of current in the pool in the event of corrosion of the immersed heating elements.

Here is the FR Revision:

The existing Code text does not address the electric circuits of gas-fired pool heaters. Ground fault protection for personnel is being extended to those installations also.


Ground fault protection for personnel is not being extended for electric water heater installations. Risk of electric shock is considered adequately mitigated through the use of grounding and the listing installation requirement for the use of current collectors on the input and output. These have proven reliable to prevent unacceptable levels of current in the pool in the event of corrosion of the immersed heating elements.
 
Thanks Paul- hope you're doing well.

So why is the equipment grounding conductor of the pool heater enough but it isn't enough for the pumps, gas fired heater etc.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
Thanks Paul- hope you're doing well.

So why is the equipment grounding conductor of the pool heater enough but it isn't enough for the pumps, gas fired heater etc.
Click to expand...

You would have to ask the proponent of the code change. The CMP simply agreed with their rationale. I would venture to say it is simply because it was not proposed for the others by someone.

I am doing well....never can complain my friend.
 
Seems like Section 680.28 is primed for a PI.

2017 NEC - 680.28 Gas-Fired Water Heater. Circuits serving gas-fired
swimming pool and spa water heaters operating at voltages
above the low-voltage contact limit shall be provided with
ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.

To

2020 NEC - 680.28 Water Heater. Circuits serving swimming pool
and spa water heaters operating at voltages
above the low-voltage contact limit shall be provided with
ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.

CMP 17 Eagerly awaits your PI Mr.Mod..;)
 
MasterTheNEC said:
Seems like Section 680.28 is primed for a PI.

2017 NEC - 680.28 Gas-Fired Water Heater. Circuits serving gas-fired
swimming pool and spa water heaters operating at voltages
above the low-voltage contact limit shall be provided with
ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.

To

2020 NEC - 680.28 Water Heater. Circuits serving swimming pool
and spa water heaters operating at voltages
above the low-voltage contact limit shall be provided with
ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.

CMP 17 Eagerly awaits your PI Mr.Mod..;)
Click to expand...
Sounds like they have it covered. Not sure how a pool heat pump would not have a voltage above the low-voltage contact limit. It makes sense to me that any equipment associated with the pool should be gfci protected
 
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