Hello everyone, I’ve got a bizzare code questions for the experts out there. A friend of mine is just about done with his workshop and failed the electrical inspection because they are requiring GFI outlets everywhere, not just at the begining of the string. This is in Orange Co., NC. Has anyone ever heard about this before, any possible reason why?
Thanks!
Chris
A pro painter evaluates a variety of drywall sanders and dust collection systems for quality of finish, user fatigue, and more.
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Replies
I've never heard of it. I've always fed additional outlets off the load terminals.
But how large a work shop and how many outlets are you talking about?
any possible reason why?
The inspector has stock in a GFCI company, or he's an idiot.
As long as you have a GFI in front of the line and wire the rest to the load side your protected.
Talk about redudant protection. Although it may be a fun experiment to wire 10 GFI's load to line load to line and trip the last one and see how many pop.
Who you got there, Bubba the eelectrikal inspector? Never in my days heard of that one.
I've never heard of that either.. one at the beginning of the string is what they require here. I would say that the inspector doesn't know what he's talking about... but that happens sometimes. We have a mechanical inspector that likes to do things his own way "because he used to be in the trade".. like that's an excuse! Seems funny to me that a guy would give up being in the trade for twelve bucks an hour and milage if he really knew much... unless it was someone who wanted to retire and have a job. These jobs seem to draw the lazy and the ones who are on a power trip sometimes... I guess you just have to make them happy or fight an uphill battle on every job?
Hey, BB
Has your electrical inspector moved?
Okay, I'm not an electrician, but there is one time GFIs are used in every box that I've read about. If it is an old house without a ground wire, they are used in every outlet to provide protection without the ground. Is this an old house without the grounding system installed?
"Okay, I'm not an electrician, but there is one time GFIs are used in every box that I've read about. If it is an old house without a ground wire, they are used in every outlet to provide protection without the ground. Is this an old house without the grounding system installed?"That is not true.GFCI's can protect downstream receptacles without having a ground.And the code specifically allows ungrounded receptacles to be replaced with the grounding type (but without a ground connection) if they are feed by an upstream GFCI. However, they are supposed to be labeled as not having an EGC.
Even then you don't need them in every outlet if you can identify the wiring order so that your "daisy chains" are proper.Is it possible that, for the case the OP discusses, the "daisy chaining" was improperly done?
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison
Thanks everyone for your response. I sure couldn't imagine any benefit.To answer the questions a few threw out there.... the workshop is all new construction, 24x24 and I think there are about 20 total outlets.Thanks again!
Chris
If they consider the structure a "garage" where all the outlets have access from outdoors, then requiring GFCI protection makes sense. But as mentioned before, only the first outlet on each drop needs the GFCI fixture.
Wouldn't it have been a lot easier to just put a GFI breaker on the circuit ? That way the entire circuit is GFI protected. Thats how I did my 24x24 garage and it passed inspection no problem. I actually have three seperate circuits for outlets, one for each wall. Each on a GFI breaker.Bill Koustenis
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md
I'm in Orange County, NC and my garage/ workshop passed without this requirement. ask for a repeat inspection/ ask for the supervisor?
If you dont get satisfaction fropm this inspector, tell him to show you where it is written in the code book. Around here if they cite something they have to show you the code on it.
Anytime i've ever been called out, I ask anyways since I always have a code book on site: "I read the code and this is what I got from it. Can you show me what I read wrong?" This way you're not being confrontational and you'll get your answer.
One way or another it will make things easier.
Hope he doesnt come back and require a switch for every light bulb.
Edited 7/22/2006 6:24 pm ET by MSA1
I think that perhaps there was a mis-understanding somewhere.
Shops are famous for having many dedicated circuits. It is possible that every circuit needs GFI protection.
It is permitted to use the first one to protect those downstream...but the ines downstream also need to be identified as "GFI protected." Remember those little stickers in the box?
It is reasonable for the inspector to provide you with a citation of exactly what code you are violating.