![]() Again, it is not the intent to replace a GFCI with an IDCI where a GFCI is required by the NEC and it does not take the place of the branch circuit overcurrent protection device in the circuit. It is not the intent to replace a GFCI with an ALCI where a GFCI is required by the NEC and it does not take the place of the branch circuit overcurrent protection device in the circuit.Īn immersion-detection circuit-interrupter (IDCI) is another device intended to be used with electric appliances and designed to interrupt circuit to the load when an appliance is unintentionally immersed in water. It is a device intended to be used in conjunction with an electrical appliance and is designed to interrupt the circuit when a ground fault current exceeds 6 milliamps. ![]() Therefore, a Class B device with a higher trip current was permitted.Īnother GFCI-Type device is an appliance leakage current interrupter (ALCI). Often the electrical equipment in older pools had a leakage current that was greater than the 5 milliamps required for a Class A GFCI and this leakage current would cause nuisance tripping of the circuit. When using a Class B GFCI, the swimming pool lighting circuit must be disconnected before servicing or relamping the lighting fixture. There is a Class A GFCI that trips when a ground fault current exceeds 5 milliamps and there is a Class B GFCI that trips when a ground fault current exceeds 20 milliamps.Ī Class B GFCI with a 20 milliamp trip level is to be used only for protection of underwater swimming pool lighting fixtures installed before adoption of the 1965 National Electrical Code (NEC). The basic definition of a ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) is a general-use device whose function is to interrupt the electric circuit to a load within an established period of time. Three basic ground fault systems or leakage current protection devices are used in the electrical system: ground fault protection for personnel that are UL Listed in accordance with UL 943, immersion detection protection for appliances that are UL Listed in accordance with UL 1664, and ground fault protection for equipment that is UL Listed in accordance with UL 1053. Lastly, if a low amperage, gfp breaker does not exist and using the higher amperage breaker in series is a bad idea, how am I to construct a system that complies with the NEC guidelines? thanks in advance for any feedback.The most important thing to understand about ground fault protection devices is that one type is to protect personnel and the other is to protect electrical equipment, the latter having different trip levels for different types of protection. ![]() Does that make sense or is it a bad idea to use such a breaker in series with a the 20A breaker? If no such breaker exists, would it be acceptable to use Midnite's breaker? my thinking is that since the breakers will be in series, for any overcurrent issue the 20A breaker will trip and if there is a ground fault issue, the GFP breaker on the negative/ground side will trip itself along with its coupled 63A breaker. Does anyone know of anyone that sells a 20A/0.5A GFP? ![]() The smallest I could find is a Midnite brand 63A (+ side)/ 0.5A (neg./ground side). The problem I'm running into is that after an extensive google search, I can find no GFP breaker this small. ![]() My understanding is that the GFP and standard breaker should be of the same amperage. In keeping with NEC guidelines I'm intending to install both a standard 20A breaker and GFP (ground fault protection) breaker in series between the panels and controller. I have a very small system I'm building (off grid solar) that will only need a 20A breaker between the panels and MPPT charge controller. ![]()
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