GFI on "important" Circuits - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

wiremeup · 06-03-2007, 10:17 AM

In the past, we have always installed single receptacles (not duplex) on circuits which were designated for freezers, refrigerators, condensation pumps, etc. in residential applications. This would be in garages, crawl spaces, or other areas where GFI protection is required. But, as GFI's sometimes trip for no apparent reason, I am hesitant to plug a freezer, etc. into a GFI as it may be a long period of time before one realizes that the freezer has no power. The local inspectors always allowed the single receptacles as an alternative. Now, they are requiring the GFI. Just wondering how others feel about this. For example, if an AHU is in a crawl space and has a condensation pump, the GFI could trip and when the water has backed up enough, the AHU stops working. Assuming the float switch works and shuts off the unit. Not as bad as losing all your frozen food, but a service call for someone at any rate. IMO, if a GFI can trip, it will trip at some point and thus I will get yet another service call where I walk in, push the reset button, and feel bad about charging $50 for the service call. I have had houses in the past where after an electrical storm, every GFI in the house was tripped. I just feel that the single receptacles posed no hazard and were better for those applications. Do I just overthink everthing?

JohnJ0906 · 06-03-2007, 10:35 AM

Remember, hard wired doesn't require GFCI protection. I think we will see more hardwired sump pumps, condensate pumps, etc when the '08 NEC is adopted.
Don't help with fridges and freezers though. Of course they shouldn't trip a GFCI unless there is a ground fault, and what is more important- safety or some bad food?

MDShunk · 06-03-2007, 10:43 AM

I guess I hit on this in another thread, but I wil say that there is no such thing as a nuisance tripping GFCI. There is a reason it tripped, and you can megger the frige or freezer and it will be clear... insulation breakdown of the windings.

wiremeup · 06-03-2007, 10:57 AM

We always run dedicated circuits to ref's and freezers, if the HO knows where they want them. It is more of a problem when a freezer is plugged into the garage circuit which then gets other things plugged in, such as landscape lighting, etc. Of course, it is against code to have a freezer in a garage unless it is 18" off the floor. It is a good thing that everyone builds platforms for their chest freezers. LOL

JohnJ0906 · 06-03-2007, 11:03 AM

What code is that? Local amendment?

wiremeup · 06-03-2007, 11:08 AM

The 18" requirement? I am not sure where it is in the NEC, but the inspectors have never allowed any electric outlet or appliance within 18" of the garage floor because of the possibility of gas vapor combustion. The few times that water heaters have been installed in garage areas, they had to be placed on platforms. I will have to get my code book and see if I can find it.

JohnJ0906 · 06-03-2007, 11:15 AM

They must consider it a Hazardous location.
I usually install any outlets in a garage at countertop height (44' to bottom)
I do see equipment raised in a garage, but only a 2x4 platform for moisture.

brian john · 06-03-2007, 11:43 AM

Quote:

no such thing as a nuisance tripping GFCI.

I run into this issue with GFP all the time and I also say the same thing. There is only one nuisance trip and that is a defective GFP relay or CT. And even that while it is a nuisance, these are few and far between and if they did not rip you may not know it was defective.

It might be a pain BUT the device is performing it's duty.

I use to get a monthly News Letter about contractors and law suits, one case was a freezer in a garage that was tripping the GFCI, contractor told the homeowner that freezers did not require GFCI and disconnected the protective device. Sometime later the home owners son was in the garage, sat on the floor leaning against the freezer, never to stand again.

Resolve the issue DO NOT disconnect the protective device, be it AFCI, GFCI or GFP, you would not remove a fuse, circuit breaker or randomly up size any other OCP.