ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Water Cooler GFCI?

Does a water cooler or drinking fountain require a GFCI receptacle or a standard receptacle to meet code?

Jack
A regular receptacle is all the code requires.

If you're dealing with an in-wall water fountain, would the area containing the cooler underneath be considered a damp area?

Would seem logical, wouldn't it?

I've only seen standard receptacles used for those when the panels have been knocked off.

i would put it on a gfi it should not trip when the chiller kicks in

I have seen where an insurence co. required a GFI recpt. for water coolers, and for coffee makers where the coffee maker was hooked up to the city water. (It was in a resteraunt) (Did I spell that right?_) It is not in the NEC but the insurence co. wanted it.

If the are below a water cooler were a wet location then you couldn't use a receptacle GFCI. It's not listed for that location.
Drinking fountains are NOT the same as water coolers. Drinking fountains are not electrical. They are the old porcelain plumbing only (no electrical) found many years ago and perhaps a few still exist.
Today the UL listing is for "Water Coolers". NEC Article on pools and fountains, definitions specifically state that water coolers are not to be considered fountains for the purposes of the article and therefore do not require GFCI's.
Mountainman is correct, the NEC does not require GFCI's, only regular receptacles.
If someone chose to install a GFCI then there would be an obligation for monthly tests and the normal condenser leakage current could result in tripping.
Regular receptacle is the best option in my opinion with a good low impedance ground as required by NEC.
OSHA Professor

Hmmmm...Several public as well as private schools and churches under my belt and if I remember correctly,the engineer required(called out for on drwgs) GFCI receptacles on all of the EDFs.(electric drinking fountains)

txsparkey,
Your memory is perfect, I agree with you 100%. I've seen architecture firms and engineers specify same. They don't have to test them. Ask them what code requires same, why they specify same, if they know how a GFCI works, and what possible safety drawbacks are associated with GFCI's? I have, and you'll hear a lot of hum a huma huma.
OSHA Professor

O.P.,
You've gone and peaked my curiosity now.What possible safety drawbacks are associated with GFCI receptacle on an EDF as opposed to a standard duplex receptacle?

yeah if i remeber the french codes right they have the same probem with electric water cooler also they want to put gfci but it was not too sucessfull but right now i dont know if the techonly getting better with gfci also i know in french code and nec codes say just use the regualr outlet that all i recall it

merci marc