I have a GFCI-use question relating to the following setup:
I have an outbuilding with 10/2 UF cable pulled through 1-1/2" 40-schedule RNC buried over 12" underground (confirmed through a partial-dig). The house breaker is a Stablok FPE 20A breaker; the load circuit travels about 30-40 feet to a metal junction box where the 12/2 NMB from the breaker is wire-nut joined to the 10/2 UF which exits the house to go to the outbuilding. (I only assume the 10/2 was used to minimize voltage drop out to the building) The total run of UF is probably around 50 ft. all total, considering underground bends and so forth. The UF cable is totally enclosed in underground-rated PVC from the point it exits the house at a pull LB box to the point it enters the outbuilding through another pull LB box.
There are no GFCI breakers or outlets anywhere in the chain. The outbuilding floor is slightly above grade - about 1 to 2 inches probably. I've been looking through the 2002 NEC to see if there are problems that I need to fix. I'd also like to install a small panel out in the out-building to re-connect the recepticles that are already there. My hope is that the 15 or 20A breakers in the building would kick before the main panel breaker. I plan to do woodworking in the building, so I'll be using various power tools. I doubt I'll overload the circuit, but I like the idea of having a panel out there.
Since the main panel is FPE, I cannot afford a GFCI breaker for it!! Well, not quite - but could I install GFCI breakers in the new panel in the outbuilding and be protected, or must I install a GFCI inside the house (either a breaker in the panel or a feed-through at the junction box right before it goes outside)?
The NEC book isn't very clear about where GFCI protection needs to be applied (at least not to me!). Any thoughts about this would be appreciated.
Thanks!
I have an outbuilding with 10/2 UF cable pulled through 1-1/2" 40-schedule RNC buried over 12" underground (confirmed through a partial-dig). The house breaker is a Stablok FPE 20A breaker; the load circuit travels about 30-40 feet to a metal junction box where the 12/2 NMB from the breaker is wire-nut joined to the 10/2 UF which exits the house to go to the outbuilding. (I only assume the 10/2 was used to minimize voltage drop out to the building) The total run of UF is probably around 50 ft. all total, considering underground bends and so forth. The UF cable is totally enclosed in underground-rated PVC from the point it exits the house at a pull LB box to the point it enters the outbuilding through another pull LB box.
There are no GFCI breakers or outlets anywhere in the chain. The outbuilding floor is slightly above grade - about 1 to 2 inches probably. I've been looking through the 2002 NEC to see if there are problems that I need to fix. I'd also like to install a small panel out in the out-building to re-connect the recepticles that are already there. My hope is that the 15 or 20A breakers in the building would kick before the main panel breaker. I plan to do woodworking in the building, so I'll be using various power tools. I doubt I'll overload the circuit, but I like the idea of having a panel out there.
Since the main panel is FPE, I cannot afford a GFCI breaker for it!! Well, not quite - but could I install GFCI breakers in the new panel in the outbuilding and be protected, or must I install a GFCI inside the house (either a breaker in the panel or a feed-through at the junction box right before it goes outside)?
The NEC book isn't very clear about where GFCI protection needs to be applied (at least not to me!). Any thoughts about this would be appreciated.
Thanks!
