enigma-2
Member
- Location
- northern Indiana
Using 2005 NEC.
RE:
422.30 General. A means shall be provided to disconnect each appliance from all ungrounded conductors in accordance with the following sections of Part III.
A disconnecting means is defined as: "A device, or group of devices, or other means by which the conductors of a circuit can be disconnected from their source of supply."
I was asked to permit the use of a BF GFCI to be used as a disconnecting means for a dishwasher. I won't get into the discussion as to why, the electrician wanted to use it and I have to rule on it.
On the surface it seems to be fine, push the "test" button and the ungrounded conductor is disconnected from its supply. But I still have reservations; perhaps unfounded.
1. I do not see where a GFCI was designed or listed for this use. 110.3-(A)(1) & (B).
2. GFCI's are known to fail (which is why they have the test button and require a monthly test.) Of course switches and circuit breakers can fail as well, but they have a established track record of success; not so clear with GFCI's. If a GFCI fails, it may not deenergize the circuit. Or it can fail and possibly refuse to re-energize the circuit.
3. The definition of a GFCI reads: "A device intended for the protection of personnel that functions to deenergize a circuit or portion thereof within an established period of time when a current to ground exceeds the values established for a Class A device." While it doesn't include its use as a disconnecting means, a GFCI does seem to fit within the borders of the definition.
4. Cannot be manually operated without power. Although not related, Section 225.38 reads "Disconnect Construction. Disconnecting means shall meet the requirements of 225.38(A) through (D).
(A) Manually or Power Operable. The disconnecting means shall consist of either (1) a manually operable switch or a circuit breaker equipped with a handle or other suitable operating means or (2) a power-operable switch or circuit breaker, provided the switch or circuit breaker can be opened by hand in the event of a power failure." A GFCI is not manually operable. And they don't work when the power if off. Now this section doesn't apply to 422.30, but I was looking at it for guidance.
5. (D) Indicating. The building or structure disconnecting means shall plainly indicate whether it is in the open or closed position. Here's one area where the blank-face GFCI fails. There is no clear indicating of "on" and "off". It does state "test" and "reset" but I don't feel that it's "plainly indicating" which state it's in (without taking a very close look to see if the button is raised.
6. Is a GFCI switch rated?
7. Is a GFCI motor rated?
Perhaps I'm being too anal on this, but I seem to have lingering doubts as to it's merit. Based strictly on economics, it would seem clear that the use of a switch is not only cheaper but better for this use. Does anyone have anything they would care to add?
RE:
422.30 General. A means shall be provided to disconnect each appliance from all ungrounded conductors in accordance with the following sections of Part III.
A disconnecting means is defined as: "A device, or group of devices, or other means by which the conductors of a circuit can be disconnected from their source of supply."
I was asked to permit the use of a BF GFCI to be used as a disconnecting means for a dishwasher. I won't get into the discussion as to why, the electrician wanted to use it and I have to rule on it.
On the surface it seems to be fine, push the "test" button and the ungrounded conductor is disconnected from its supply. But I still have reservations; perhaps unfounded.
1. I do not see where a GFCI was designed or listed for this use. 110.3-(A)(1) & (B).
2. GFCI's are known to fail (which is why they have the test button and require a monthly test.) Of course switches and circuit breakers can fail as well, but they have a established track record of success; not so clear with GFCI's. If a GFCI fails, it may not deenergize the circuit. Or it can fail and possibly refuse to re-energize the circuit.
3. The definition of a GFCI reads: "A device intended for the protection of personnel that functions to deenergize a circuit or portion thereof within an established period of time when a current to ground exceeds the values established for a Class A device." While it doesn't include its use as a disconnecting means, a GFCI does seem to fit within the borders of the definition.
4. Cannot be manually operated without power. Although not related, Section 225.38 reads "Disconnect Construction. Disconnecting means shall meet the requirements of 225.38(A) through (D).
(A) Manually or Power Operable. The disconnecting means shall consist of either (1) a manually operable switch or a circuit breaker equipped with a handle or other suitable operating means or (2) a power-operable switch or circuit breaker, provided the switch or circuit breaker can be opened by hand in the event of a power failure." A GFCI is not manually operable. And they don't work when the power if off. Now this section doesn't apply to 422.30, but I was looking at it for guidance.
5. (D) Indicating. The building or structure disconnecting means shall plainly indicate whether it is in the open or closed position. Here's one area where the blank-face GFCI fails. There is no clear indicating of "on" and "off". It does state "test" and "reset" but I don't feel that it's "plainly indicating" which state it's in (without taking a very close look to see if the button is raised.
6. Is a GFCI switch rated?
7. Is a GFCI motor rated?
Perhaps I'm being too anal on this, but I seem to have lingering doubts as to it's merit. Based strictly on economics, it would seem clear that the use of a switch is not only cheaper but better for this use. Does anyone have anything they would care to add?
