UL Listed Refrigerators in Marinas

[JSwick]

On some inland lakes the Army Corps of Engineers is beginning to tell marina operators any appliance (specifically refrigerators) in use on a covered dock must be UL listed for "outdoor use". Their reasoning is that anything not listed for "outdoor use" constitutes an electrical shock hazard. Shouldn't the GFCI receptacle be adequate protection for appliances being used in an outdoor, or wet/damp location? I cannot find anything in either NFPA 303 or the NEC that specifies what makes an appliance safe to be in use outdoors. Keep in mind that these refrigerators are protected from direct exposure to rain by the roof of the dock. The point at which the refrigerators are plugged into the receptacle is also above the electrical datum plane. Has anyone encountered this problem and if so what was the outcome?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Shouldn't the GFCI receptacle be adequate protection for appliances being used in an outdoor, or wet/damp location?

I suspect that if the unit is not suitable for the dampness and moisture then there is probably a strong liklihood that the connection will corrode inside the unit. This could leave the unit with a bad ground or none at all.

If the refrig. looses a ground someone could get hurt since GFCI have also been known to fail-- esp. the older ones.

 

[480sparky]

My guess is a standard fridge has a NEMA 1 enclosure.

Try buying a fridge with a 3R enclosure. :grin:

 

[petersonra]

Or just built an enclosure around it.

 

[petersonra]

Or just built an enclosure around it.