Vehicle mounted generator, lighting circuit

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inspector 102

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Northern Indiana
The local fire department has a rescue vehicle with a PTO generator for their scene lighting. The lighting circuit is protected by a 2-pole 20 amp circuit with GFCI protection. The GFCI breaker appears to be worn out and needing replaced. Article 445 appears to be the applicable section, but when checking the index, it show to check Art. 445.20 for GFCI requirements. There is no 445.20 in my book. Is there a section where I need to look to determine if GFCi is actual required for the lighting circuit on this vehicle. The receptacles are twist locks and do do have GFCI protection on the circuit. Thanks for the guidance.
 
inspector 102 said:
The local fire department has a rescue vehicle with a PTO generator for their scene lighting. The lighting circuit is protected by a 2-pole 20 amp circuit with GFCI protection. The GFCI breaker appears to be worn out and needing replaced. Article 445 appears to be the applicable section, but when checking the index, it show to check Art. 445.20 for GFCI requirements. There is no 445.20 in my book. Is there a section where I need to look to determine if GFCi is actual required for the lighting circuit on this vehicle. The receptacles are twist locks and do do have GFCI protection on the circuit. Thanks for the guidance.
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You are correct no 445.20. But I will say that this type setup will be used outdoors so I would say 210.8 (B) would be the answer
 
Because the fire ground is constantly subject to water and adverse conditions, A GFCI might be a safety hazard if a crew is inside when the scene lighting fails. I checked NFPA 1901, the standard for fire apparatus under the wiring provisions and found no mention of GFCI requirements. I think the company placed them there for liability issues. I will be addressing this with the Fire Chief and let him decide if he replaces then with GFCI or regular overcurrent devices. Why does the NEC reference an article that does even appear in the code. I went back a couple of edition and it appears there never has been a reference to GFCI requirements?
 
I was on a resque squad for a number of years and we used GFCI protection on all of our powered equipment and did not have any issues with tripping, however I was using the Woodhead water tight twist lock connectors on everything.
 
Don- Not sure what the issue is. The breaker is popping with no load on it. Have removed exterior twist-loks to check for shorts and found none. Discontinued receptacle and still pops. Even have one that is not connected to anything that pops after about 15 seconds of being energized. This rescue has given us fits since we got it and the company just says, bring it in, we'll check it out. The panel on the truck is a Homeline Panel, and 2-pole GFCI breakers. Light circuit draws 11 amps on a 15 amp breaker rating. Beating my head against the wall. No issues when replaced with a regular breaker, 20 amp rated. Yes the wire size is #12.
 
inspector 102 said:
Don- Not sure what the issue is. The breaker is popping with no load on it. Have removed exterior twist-loks to check for shorts and found none. Discontinued receptacle and still pops. Even have one that is not connected to anything that pops after about 15 seconds of being energized. This rescue has given us fits since we got it and the company just says, bring it in, we'll check it out. The panel on the truck is a Homeline Panel, and 2-pole GFCI breakers. Light circuit draws 11 amps on a 15 amp breaker rating. Beating my head against the wall. No issues when replaced with a regular breaker, 20 amp rated. Yes the wire size is #12.
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Sounds like the internal electronics are shot in the breaker. Could be from vibration and bouncing up and down the road could have caused them to fail. Replace with a new 20amp GFCI and go from there.
 
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