kirkwood2018
New member
- Location
- cedar rapid
It is legal to use plug-in-GFCI permanently?
the use of GFCI
- Thread starter kirkwood2018
- Start date
- Status
- Occupation
- Licensed Electrician
Welcome to the forum.
I don't know the context for the question you are asking. I believe you are asking about those gfci gizmos that plug into the end of an extension cord. It's never allowed to use a flexible cord as a substitute for fixed wiring, 400 dot something something is where you'll find it in the codebook.
I don't know the context for the question you are asking. I believe you are asking about those gfci gizmos that plug into the end of an extension cord. It's never allowed to use a flexible cord as a substitute for fixed wiring, 400 dot something something is where you'll find it in the codebook.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
The "portable" GFCI device is meant to be used to protect what is plugged into the portable cord, where the female end is used, not what is plugged into the permanent receptacle. If the receptacle itself is in a location requiring a GFCI, one should be installed.
JFletcher
Senior Member
- Location
- Williamsburg, VA
Welcome to The Forum.
The original poster may also be referring to lcdi devices like you would find on a hair dryer or a newer air conditioner or PTAC.
The original poster may also be referring to lcdi devices like you would find on a hair dryer or a newer air conditioner or PTAC.
Maybe.
Or maybe hes trying to see if he can cheaply and easily skate around 210.8, parts of 680, 422.5, do a screwy 590 permanently etc, etc, etc......
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
The OP might also be referring to a device that I once bought. It is about the same size as a duplex receptacle. You plug it into a non-GFCI protected receptacle and leave it there forever (or so the OP's question is asking). You can then plug something into this device, and the internals of the device provide the GFCI protection. It is not a flexible cord; there is no cord involved at all. So 400.8 would not apply.
al hildenbrand
Senior Member
- Location
- Minnesota
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor, Electrical Consultant, Electrical Engineer
In my opinion, a plug-in GFCI is not addressed by the NEC as a substitute for GFCI protection required by 210.8. Even if the plug-in GFCI is present, a receptacle-type GFCI or breaker-type GFCI is still required if the location is called out my the NEC as requiring GFCI protection.
As an aside, compared to a permanently installed GFCI receptacle or breaker, the plug-in type of GFCI has an open neutral detection feature, and all that I have used have also defaulted to "interrupted" upon power interruption. Both of these features tend to reduce the reliability of power supply to load over time.
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