Is this a GFCI circuit? It says 2 Pole Type MP-T Interrupting. I thought GFCI would be stated on the breaker itself?
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GFCI Question
- Thread starter briggss3
- Start date
Also....installing a Pentair Intelliflo pump...After searching and reading it sounds like I need to switch my breaker to a Pentair GFCI model? And also my SWG (Circupool RJ60) is tied to the same 220V pump wiring at the timer...can that remain the same if I change out to a GFCI (and moving the pump off the timer per the instructions)?
- May 23, 2015
- 25,678
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Those are two, standard 20A, non-GFCI circuit breakers.
GFCI breakers are labeled as such and have a “TEST” button on them (and sometimes an LED light) to let you test the breaker for a ground fault as well as letting you know the GFCI protection is active. They look very different than what you have there.
If you are wanting to add GFCI protection to that circuit, then you need to replace those breakers with the Pentair (rebranded Seimens ) breakers.
It’s ok the leave the SWG on the same circuit.
A word of caution - GFCI breakers are sensitive and can sometimes “phantom trip” for no reason. You’ll need to keep an eye on the pump (and SWG) operation to make sure that they are working as intended. It’s impossible to know beforehand if you’ll experience phantom tripping so you’ll just have to install them and see what happens. If phantom tripping does become a problem, you may have to separate circuits or move them around to see if that stops it. It’s simply one of the downsides of putting everything on GFCI (or AFCI) breakers.
GFCI breakers are labeled as such and have a “TEST” button on them (and sometimes an LED light) to let you test the breaker for a ground fault as well as letting you know the GFCI protection is active. They look very different than what you have there.
If you are wanting to add GFCI protection to that circuit, then you need to replace those breakers with the Pentair (rebranded Seimens ) breakers.
It’s ok the leave the SWG on the same circuit.
A word of caution - GFCI breakers are sensitive and can sometimes “phantom trip” for no reason. You’ll need to keep an eye on the pump (and SWG) operation to make sure that they are working as intended. It’s impossible to know beforehand if you’ll experience phantom tripping so you’ll just have to install them and see what happens. If phantom tripping does become a problem, you may have to separate circuits or move them around to see if that stops it. It’s simply one of the downsides of putting everything on GFCI (or AFCI) breakers.
Is it necessary to do so or just leave them on the existing breakers? It's been this way for 25 or more years.
Breakers need to be GFCI by code once you upgrade.
You asked if the pump and cell can be on the same circuit ?
Yes they can be on the same circuit but at the timer the pump needs to be on the line side of the timer so it has constant power and the SWCG should be on the load side.
You asked if the pump and cell can be on the same circuit ?
Yes they can be on the same circuit but at the timer the pump needs to be on the line side of the timer so it has constant power and the SWCG should be on the load side.
Do you have a pool panel also ? There may be a GFCI breaker for the pump there.
That's how I did it. And now the timer turns on the SWG inside of the pump program time. I guess the risk is that the pump trips OFF..the SWG timers ON ... and the Circupool switch fails.....boom.
Since you are not upgrading your service, rather only replacing motor, then leave the 20 amp breaker alone. It is perfectly acceptable to leave it alone.
Legal and best practice are two entirely different things. It's one thing if someone doesn't know better. Once they know better they are possibly jeopardizing their family's safety for peanuts. (no matter how small the risk, it IS a risk).
I had already purchase the Pentair GFCI breaker. Will stab it in the box later this week.
someone above stated that they needed to change. That is not correct. They did not upgrade the service. I was pointing that out. If my fridge dies it does not mean i have to change my breaker for the new one, so the same with my pool motor.
Fridge circuit codes don't state that all new circuits require a GFCI. And even if they did, your old circuit would be grandfathered. But if your family's safety was at stake, you'd be an idiot to leave it non GFCI on a technicality.
GFCIs on pool pumps became code for a reason. Again, ignorance is one thing and theres probably a million out there still in service. But once you know better, it's a different kind of ignorance to ignore it.
We teach safety and best practice here, not how to side skirt either.
drsipe
Gold Supporter
- Jul 24, 2020
- 412
- Pool Size
- 24500
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Whether it's required or not may be a local code issue. The choice to change the breaker type might just be a personal choice. To make this choice you should understand the difference between a standard breaker and a GFCI breaker. On a standard breaker, it will trip only if the current draw is higher than rated either instantaneous or over a short time period. A GFCI breaker will trip for two reasons, either for an instananious or time over current, just like a standard breaker, it will also trip if it detects a current flow imbalance which is caused by current leakage. Current leakage can be small, not enough to trip the breaker on over current, but before a dangerous situation occurs. While GFCI breakers are significantly more expensive than standard breakers, I believe they are worth installing, it's a safety device designed to prevent injury. I changed to a GFCI breaker years ago, before it was code in my area, I would certainly recommend changing to a GFCI breaker, but if it's not required by code, the choice is yours.
its not side skirting. The fact is is does not "need" to be replace. Better wording would have been you can replace it at this time as it would be an easy time to complete. Again an ignorant person might gloss over the distinction and not realize that they do not "have" to replace. Some believe need is a synonym to must. It aint.
If truly a safety issue wiring would not be discussed here because the majority of the population is not IBEW.
680.21(D) Pool Pump Motor Replacement.
Where a pool pump motor in 680.21(C) is replaced for maintenance or repair, the replacement pump motor shall be provided with ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection.
Where a pool pump motor in 680.21(C) is replaced for maintenance or repair, the replacement pump motor shall be provided with ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection.
You're right. You also don't need to remove power to work on circuits. It's just a really really good idea to do so.
