Originally Posted By: pabernathy
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rwashington,
I hear ya.....Talk about a freezer working overtime in those conditions will surly make the meter spin.
Now in the garage all recepts are to be GFCI with exception to those that are for dedicated space like a freezer then you can tell them they can freely contact an electrician and change the duplex plug to a single plug and it does not have to be on GFCI. ( Art. 210.8 Ex. 2)
Now chances are the entire circuit is on GFCI anyway ( as it should ) so replacing the duplex with a single recept will not solve the GFCI problem so they have two choices...they can run a new feed to a single receptable dedicated for that freezer in the garage....or move the freezer to a better place and use the standard reason you have posted.
In many homes with a garage door opener the ceiling recept is not GFCI ( as it does not have to be if it is a single plug or considered not readily accessible...so to speak ) but my point is if they wish in many cases they can tap onto the ceiling plug circuit and run a line down to the freezer and install a new circuit that way.( Keeping in mind they have a electrician determine if the circuit can handle the freezer and so on...most I deal with are smaller 4-6 amp units...not much draw on them )
Now...they have to be very clear what is on the ceiling recepts circuit ( we happen to hit them first in many cases and then feed the remaining garage circuits and protect them at the first recepts on the wall with a GFCI...but that depends on the number of recepts and the use of the area ( ie: workshop and so on )
Point is they have options....you can freely give them your opinion if they are STERN on wanting the freezer on GFCI..and you explain why it is not good ( not to mention it may trip and all the frozen items melt ) but you also have advice for them as well and at the end of it tell them to call a licensed electrician if they consider adding the circuit option.
Hope this helps...
--
Paul W. Abernathy- NACHI Certified
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