I have seen a number of hermetic refer compressors develop ground faults over time. The type you see in smaller commercial units and residential reffers. I believe the oil inside heats up, and deteriorates eventualy becoming conductive, or cap start of the motor fails.
Back on the Commercial Kitchen GFI requirements, wording of codes, and application of exceptions...
210.8(B) Other Than Dwelling Units. All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in the locations specified in (1), (2), and (3) shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel: ~
(3) Kitchens
Section 210.8(B)(3) is new for the 2002 Code and requires all 15- and 20-ampere, 125-volt receptacles in nondwelling-type kitchens to be GFCI protected. This requirement applies to each and every 15- and 20-ampere, 125-volt kitchen receptacle, whether or not the receptacle serves countertop appliances.
Accident data related to electrical incidents in nondwelling kitchens reveal the presence of many hazards, including poorly maintained electrical apparatus, damaged electrical cords, wet floors, and employees without proper electrical safety training. Mandating some limited form of GFCI protection for high-hazard areas such as nondwelling kitchens should help prevent electrical accidents.
(commentary=not code)I had an aurguement with a PM about that after I GFI'ed
all the 120 recepticals, as that code (2002) has now been accepted here. I did it on one kitchen and the inspector gave me the thumbs up for doing it. "Hey, didn't have to tell you." Then did it on another, and this PM went ballistic. (Didn't bid the job that way) We aurgued about that code
that also provides no exceptions, even for dedicated cord connected appliances. And after she had someone else pull all of the GFI's before the inspection, and
passed, with different inspector it at final... then used that to rub in my face, and the begining of a steady deterioration of our working relationship. That was months ago, and my last day was last Friday! (After many black-white, apples-oranges, day-night, yes-no aurguments) Bottom line is it is not what
passes, or what you get away with, it is what the code says. And often interpetation is not rocket science, although difficult to accept. Especially if you are just flat out wrong.
(edit to add code ref: )
[This message has been edited by e57 (edited 11-05-2006).]