Petey, I was talking about the freezer in the garage/basement. If there are general purpose GFCI receptacles available the inspectors I see will usually ignore the duplex vs a single if it is buried behind a freezer.
Speedy,
I think greg was refering to this statement I made a few posts ago:
Truth be known…sometimes things get petty and many inspectors just wont inforce it…as greg said…kinda up to the AHJ if they wish to ignore it.
I see now. Sorry.
Greg -
Don’t tell someone to put their fridge or freezer on GFCI. Besides making you look foolish, as others have said, the 1st time it trips and food is ruined - CALL the INSPECTOR.
Something to think about.
If a fairly new appliance trips a GFCI, did you ever think that maybe something is wrong with the appliance and the device is saving someone’s life???
Is spoiled food worth more than someone’s life?
All newer appliances are manufactured to a new standard that has leakage current of the appliance at less than 1/2 of 1 miliamp. Not enough leakage current to affect the GFCI at all. So, if there is tripping with todays appliances, something may be very wrong.
This has all led to the fact that in the next code cycle, it looks as though the exceptions in the NEC for appliances and dedicated space will be removed from the NEC, and all appliances installed in unfinished basements, garages and similar locations will require GFCI protection regardless.
Start up of motors for these appliances will not cause a GFCI device to trip.
Dan,
I dont think greg said any such thing…he was only saying that at many times the inspector will overlook this if it is behind the fridge lets say…he is not saying it is right or to do it…just making a statement.
Dan I was saying inspectors sometimes do not tag a non-GFCI duplex buried behind the freezer when it should really be a single. (If there are GFCI receptacles in the area)
A I also agree with Pierre. A properly working fridge or freezer won’t trip a GFCI.
I would suggest an alarm if you do end up with a freezer on a GFCI. Not a bad idea anyway. The same thing that causes old ones to trip GFCIs (internal shorts in the compressor) can also cause sudden death of that compressor.
I also agree with that statement…:)…I concur…
Like I said - don’t tell someone to put their freezer or refrigerator on a GFCI. In my area we’ve sometimes had foolish or new inspectors tell this to people only to buy freezer loads of food when something else trip the GFCI. Storm, something else on that circuit, etc. Also you need to look at where the unit is at. If the outlet is not readily accessible - such as in an alcove only big enough for a refrigerator or garage freezer, etc. you would not need a GFCI.
Again…Dan I do not see where greg was telling ANYONE to put a freezer on a GFCI…BUT if it was done…it would not be wrong…
The NEC clearly states that If a freezer for example is in a garage and it is lets say ABOVE the freezer and not behind it…and a duplex plug is used…that would mean the freezer is in one plug and one is open…in the eyes of the NEC it would need to be GFCI on the plug that is open…
But again I dont think anyone here has said to put a freezer on GFCI…in fact everyone has given a basis for why it is not needed…
IN previous posts I have clearly stated HOW the code applies in regards to access…but again I dont think Greg is making any such statement.
Actually here is what greg said:
Ok…since my using this post originally as an education moment…it has gone widly off base…
So as the question stands…NO it does not need to be GFCI because of the icemaker or near water at all…water does not come into play here.
The Refriderator can be fed with a 15A Dedicated Circuit or on the 20A Kitchen Circuit…but since it is not on the counter top it does not have to be GFCI.
This hopefully will end that educational moment…
Interesting article in case anyone wants to read it…