GFCI circuts?

   / GFCI circuts? #1  

BAC

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Aug 14, 2002
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Michigan
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TC25D
I am building a workshop in my barn and I was just told by the electrical inspector that all the 120 outlets on both 15 and 20 amp circuits must be GFCI protected. There is no water or other shock causing hazards in the shop. I pointed out to him that all the other shops belonging to my neighbors did not have GFCI in them but this did not impress him and he would not tell me why I needed them but my neighbors did not. He just continued to insist that I install them. This is the same guy that insisted I have outside lights by the exit doors even though I pointed out to him that being in the shop, when any one went out there after dark the lights would not be on and once there you would be inside and the outside lights would not be needed. Plus there are high-pressure sodium lights in the peak of the barn that lights up the whole area. Still had to have the lights by the doors, a complete waste. Does this guy just not like me or is there some reason I am missing about the GFCI circuits. Any help to get this guy off my back will be appreciated. Maybe I will just have to put up with it until the project is done. I hate waste. OH well.
 
   / GFCI circuts? #2  
It's pretty common to require GFI in any area but above ground, finished living space. If it were me, I'd do it even if it weren't required. Too many opportunities for water puddles etc. in a barn/shop.

The cost is low, just put a GFI outlet as the first one on each circuit and let it protect all the downstream receps.

Don't know what to say about the lights /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
 
   / GFCI circuts? #3  
I Would get a copy of the electrical building codes. The N.E.C. book is a good place to start. However, many locallities have added their own stuff to the code. The other problem is the inspectors INTERPETATION of the code.

I had a problem in a very small locality far outside Chicago where the inspector wanted all of the low voltage stuff in conduit including the doorbell and thermostat.

The bottom line is when in doubt read the code.

Jack
 
   / GFCI circuts? #4  
the circuits in my pool house use the "first receptacle in line is GFI" .... and man, is that annoying. Whenever the lights don't come over the back of the pool, I need to remember which doggone circuit it's on and end up going around and checking all the GFIs.
The other solution is a GFI breaker. That's what I have on the hot tub, since there aren't (to my knowledge) and receptacles rated for 50A.
Sounds to me like the guy just wants to annoy you ... has he actually showed you the code that demands GFCI in a workshop or garage? Unfortunately, he's the final authority ... 'cause if you go over his head, he'll find some way to have your head.
 
   / GFCI circuts?
  • Thread Starter
#5  
Thanks for letting me cry a bit and I think you are all correct. I'll just have to do like he wants even though at times It does not make sense.
 
   / GFCI circuts? #6  
BAC,
Article 210.8 of the 2002 NEC® requires the GFCI protection.

210.8(A) Dwelling Units All 125-volt, single phase, 15-and 20-ampere receptacles installed in the locations specified in (1) through (8) shall have ground-fault circuit-interupter protection for personnel.

(2) Garages, and also accessory buildings that have a floor located at or below grade level not intended as habitable rooms and limited to storage areas, work areas, and areas of similar use
excerpt from 2002 NEC®

The inspector was correct in asking for the GFCI protection, but I would question the lights by the doors if the HPS fixtures light the landing or door areas.

Jerry
 
   / GFCI circuts? #7  
The "shock-causing hazards" you don't see is the electricity you're wiring for. The ground you're standing on doesn't have to be wet to be conductive. 110 volts can kill you. A $7 GFI will protect the entire "downstream" run (i.e. you don't need one for each outlet, just the first outlet on the circuit), and can save your life. You're worth it, aren't you? Generally it is helpful to put the initial GFIs for all the circuits in close proximity so you don't have to search around much if they blow. Also, I don't think lighting circuits need GFIs, so don't put the lights on a GFI circuit since they'll leave you groping in the dark if the GFI trips.

I believe the inspector is sensing inexperience. The best protection for this is knowledge. Get a good, easy to read DIY wiring book that explains the National Electrical Code's requirements. If you're stapling the Romex correctly, using conduit when required, using the right size wire, terminating your runs appropriately within the box, using proper grounds, calculating the proper size of box for your number of conductors (remember to subtract one for the device and one for the clamp), using GFIs where required, spacing your outlets appropriately, etc... - I think you will have a better time with the inspector. If you're messing up with simple things, he won't trust you with anything else, and although you may legally pull the permit, he may try to harrass you enough so you give up on the do-it-yourself and hire an electrician to save your life.

If you don't like the illogical lights on the doors, add a motion detector to them so they will light up when you approach the door and you will find them useful.
 
   / GFCI circuts? #8  
Chris,

<font color=blue>(remember to subtract one for the device and one for the clamp)</font color=blue>

Thats subtract 2 for the device now. It has been for a few years.

Jerry
 
   / GFCI circuts? #9  
Jerry,

What does the code say about AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interruption) in residences? Do you have any experience with AFCI and if so what do you think?

Al
 
   / GFCI circuts? #10  
Gosh - it's good that I'm not doing any work now - I haven't done any wiring since my basement two years ago! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I always got around those "allowable conductor" calculations by using the biggest boxes and limiting the number of runs to a box to three Romex lines. It wasn't until I watched my first house being built that I realized that my attempts to save a few feet of Romex were misguided. Use a few more feet of cable, but drill fewer holes and don't stress yourself trying to cram a bunch of wires into a small box.
 

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