GFCI protection for temporary installations. Section 590.6 of the 2020 NEC

[@johnmaranuk1842]

Thanks Ryan. Your videos are so informative!

[@garbo8962]

Can remember when GFCI came out in eatly 70's. Back then were only available in circuit breakers as far as I can remember. Safety deparyment made contractors use small GFCI cord sets for everything. Loved when an electrical contractor kept complaining about having to use GFCI for a single cell phone charger. Years ago I got a quick shock while using an old drill. The GFCI tripped so quick. Hard to believe it took way to long to make them mandatory on non residental locations.Ryan thanks for another great vid.

[@joewebb4836]

This is my go to channel.

[@felixsandoval486]

Thanks Ryan, once again you got one the most common places with mistakes and dangers. Sure your video helps a lot not only to identify them but also to stay tune at code changes and statistics about results aplying its rules. Great teaching.

[@dennisthatcher4384]

Hi there Ryan, nope; there's still nothing quite as permanent as a temporary instillation.

[@RyanJacksonElectrical]

Well said!!

[@lawtonsegler1923]

When I was in the Navy back in the early 80s we had something similar to the AEGCP. All power cords and tools were stored in the tool room. Whenever you checked out an extension cord or power tool it was visually inspected and tested on a test device. The device had a male and female 120V connectors. You plugged both ends of the cords to these connectors and pressed a test button. It automatically tested for proper continuity of all three wires. Because battery operated and double insulated power tools weren’t widely used in those days, the tool was placed on top with it’s metal housing touching two metal rails. The cord was plugged into the machine and the operator would press the trigger on the tool and then the test button. Green and red lights indicated pass or fail. There were no GFCIs on Navy ships at the time. There may not be any GFCIs on Navy ships now, they tend to like things to keep running... Also, if we spotted cord and plug connected equipment that was damaged in any way, we were instructed to cut the plug off immediately and let someone else worry about getting it repaired. I guess when you’re in an environment where every surface is metal and you’re holding steel framed power tools in your hands that will eventually fail while in operation, the integrity of the equipment ground is a really big deal. Looks like they still make similar testers. www.seaward-groupusa.com/products/tool-room-testers/tool-testers/power-tool-tester

[@RyanJacksonElectrical]

That's really interesting. Thanks!

[@nickcheatle3927]

Once again, great content, Ryan!! Always look forward to your videos!

[@RyanJacksonElectrical]

Thanks Nick!

[@carlosramirez5454]

Same here.

[@garbo8962]

Ryan I have a question. At a IAEI CEU class a few years ago we were told that an electrician should never make up say a 3' long cord with a male plug for a garbage disposal. Was told to purchase a cord set with a UL or other label. If we are not supposed to make up cord set can we cut the cord in halve to install an in line GFCI on an electric food warming pan. ( replaces little stono cans that produced a small flame ) to install a GFCI The wattage on these were low enough that you could place 3 or 4 on a 20 amp circuit. They had a paper table clothe on an outside lunch table catch on fire when the wind blow tableclothe onto flame. After that could only use electric warmers. Wish I had a dollar for all of the 120, 240, 277 & 480 volt extension cords that I made over my 50 years in the trade. Always used an ohmeter to make sure ground was connected propetly and last 25 years or so used a megger to check insulation.

[@bitsandpeace]

A quick question? ... Have you given any thought to doing a series on RVs and possibly home solar power systems. Haven't really been able to find much technical support in regard to either. Will Prowse does a nice job on RV solar. Just a thought. ... Looking forward to seeing many more from you... Am binge watching now !

[@bitsandpeace]

To clarify would love to see more on RV and Marine electrical systems and requirements ... I figure you can do all this in all of your spare time lol

[@RyanJacksonElectrical]

I'll see what I can do.

[@bitsandpeace]

@@RyanJacksonElectrical thank you Ryan that's all I can ask but I can't think of anyone that would be better.

[@jakequitts]

Love your videos! So I've ran into this a few times now with some home restorations after fires etc. What about a 50 amp hardwired heater at a temporary construction site. It seems the way I read it is that would not be defined as a receptacle outlet by 2020 nec 590.6(B) and the definition of a receptacle outlet and therefore not needing GFCI. I'm I correct? This is a common install for Minnesota winters.

[@RyanJacksonElectrical]

I agree that would not require GFCI protection.

[@dane5167]

I have an interesting question, what's the point of the equipment grounding conductor on a portable generator?

[@RyanJacksonElectrical]

The same as any other system. To open the overcurrent device in the event of a ground fault. Now that generator frames are bonded to the neutral it actually works!

[@dane5167]

But the generated frames are not bonded to the frames of the building so say if there were no equipment grounding at all, the system would be safe. Say if the hot wire touches any metal in the building, it will be safe to touch, and if the neutral wire touches any metal in the building it will be safe to touch. If both the hot wire and the neutral wire both touch anything in the building, than it will immediately trip the OCPD so I don’t see a real reason to have an EGC. Unless I am missing something 🤔

[@RyanJacksonElectrical]

Let's say I am using a metal, cord-and-plug-connected tool. And let us say that the generator is sitting on the dirt, and the generator frame is bonded to the generator neutral (as they now almost always are, and as they are required to be if used in temporary wiring). If the metal parts of the tool became energized, the EGC would open the overcurrent device on the generator. Without the EGC the tool would remain energized until there was another path for the current to take (such as through me, then through the earth, through the frame, to the source). Now, that would open the GFCI device due to the imbalance, so the shock risk would be removed, but GFCIs can also fail. By installing the EGC we ensure that the overcurrent device would open as well, because without it the overcurrent device would not open.

[@dane5167]

But they should make a requirement that the generators should be double insulated and the neutral should not be bonded to the frame this way we are just as protected with less requirements

[@RyanJacksonElectrical]

@@dane5167 This was discussed at GREAT length during the 2011 NEC code revision process.

[@joewebb4836]

I think the only thumbs down was from Mike Holt.

[@jstacarpenter]

Great content, as always, Ryan. I'm interested in what you were saying about special use gfcis. I've heard talk from other electricians about using them in the case where a fridge would trip a Class A GFCI. You mentioned the code change on special-use gfcis in 2020. Was this allowed and is now not anymore? Or were we never allowed to switch from class A to special-use to raise the trip level in the case of an appliance tripping A GFCI?

[@RyanJacksonElectrical]

A special purpose GFCI was allowed in 2017 for certain temporary wiring applications, but has NEVER been permitted as a substitute for GFCI protection in a permanent installation. Any time the code requires GFCI protection is must be a Class A device, because that is in the definition of GFCI in Article 100.

[@jstacarpenter]

@@RyanJacksonElectrical as I suspected. Thanks Ryan

[@jimmiegill3981]

Hi Ryan I have an inspector that insists now that we put a main in out construction temps is that a new code issue or is he on a power trip?

[@RyanJacksonElectrical]

230.71(B).

[@jimmiegill3981]

@@RyanJacksonElectrical that is the code reference we are talking about 3 breakers wouldn’t that fall under 6 breaker rule

[@RyanJacksonElectrical]

@@jimmiegill3981 Not in one enclosure. This was changed in 2020.

[@jimmiegill3981]

@@RyanJacksonElectrical ok thank you that seems a little over kill for a temp but it is what it is I appreciate you insight

[@davidkirby3667]

Is a chart for DIY "electricians".

[@elc2k385]

Thanks again, Ryan.

[@jefferytownsend7787]

I appreciate these.