A customer of mine has an existing in ground pool. Was there when he bought the house. Recently had an inspection by AHJ for a "Rental Permit" renewal.
Town inspector says it must be GFCI protected.
Problem: It is not cord and plug to pump. There is a sub-panel in basement. 2 pole 240v 15amp breaker. Goes to a switch located at cement slab where pump sits (it is at least more than 6 feet from pool water edge). 12/2 with ground from panel to switch. The 240v pump is hard-wired directly to box where switch is and the pump is bonded to ground. First off the switch is a regular switch and a regular switch cover plate. Should be water proof switch. That part is not too hard to accomplish. But inspector says the circuit must be GFCI protected. How do you protect a 240v pump with a 12/2 wire from the breaker box. My knowledge tells me you need a neutral in order for a GFCI to even function. Am I mmissing something here? Looks like the pump/pool is about 12 years old. Is the pump double insulated; does that make it safe? Normally don't do pool installtions.
(C) GFCI Protection. Outlets supplying pool pump motors connected to single-phase, 120 volt through 240 volt branch circuits, rated 15 or 20 amperes, whether by receptacle or by direct connection, shall be provided with ground-fault circuit interrupter protection for personnel.
Not a lot of wiggle room
They make 2 pole GFCI breakers for most modern panels and they will work on a L/L load
I appreciate your answers. Learned something new. A two pole GFCI breaker will function when no neutral load is connected as long as the pigtail is connected to the neutral bar. Replaced the existing FPE subpanel with anew Square D and new GFCI breaker 240v 15amp and it worked like a charm and passed inspection. I was always taught that you needed the neutral load for them to work properly; oh well learn something new.
