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Joined: Oct 2000
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Scott35 Online Happy OP
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GFPE for Floor Heat Tape - Freezers

Hello all,

It's been a long time since my last post, so let me first say I hope everyone is doing great!!!
smile

I am 100% "In The Office" now, and only see Job sites when doing a job walk, performing Project Management tasks (I know, i am a P.M.... don't make too much fun of me...), client meetings (AKA "Yawning Festivals"... hee hee hee), and the occasional Inspection.
It's taking some getting used to, but my field days are long gone!

Anyway, to the questions at hand:

I have a question regarding the installation of Heat Tape in Concrete Floors of Freezers + Coolers, which will maintain an ambient temperature between 0° C and -30° C; and the need for GFPE devices.
additional locations with the Self regulated Heat Tape will be Man Doors, Lift Doors and Condensation Drain Lines.

Referencing NEC (2002 version) Articles:
* 426: Fixed Outdoor electric De-icing and Snow Melting Equipment,
* 427: Fixed electric Heating Equipment for Pipelines and Vessels.

Basics:
The Floor Heat tape is inserted into PVC conduit, which is installed under the Concrete slab (set prior to pour). The purpose for this Heat Tape is to reduce the issues of Permafrost buildup under the slab, and maintain constant temperature within the slab, so as to reduce chances for cracking the slab.
It is something that needs to be active continuously.

Heat Tape for Doors ("Door Heat"), is to reduce issues with expansion / contraction of doors, which makes them un-openable.

Condensate Drain line Heat Tape - as the name suggests, keeps the condensed water in the Condensate Drain line from freezing up.

Now to the quoted articles:

Some Inspectors are quoting Article 426 with corrections to install "GFCI's", not GFPE.
Others are quoting either / both Article 426 and 427, again referencing the use of "GFCI's", not GFPE.

I mentioned the differences in Ground Fault Protection (plus the fact that the articles do not apply, except for the Drain Heat), only to get shot down with "Protection for Personnel" (not mentioned in the articles).

Problem with using any leakage detection with a trip threshold of upto 6ma, is some of the Heat Tape strips are long, and will eventually drain >6ma into the bonded sheath cover, thereby tripping a 6ma leakage sensing device (GFCI).

GFPE devices with leakage thresholds >/= 30ma, do not trip under normal conditions.
Only problem is sometimes it's difficult to get GFPE breakers for certain Panelboards.

My queries are:

1: Do these situations require GFPE?
2: Do they require GFCI (protection for personnel)?
3: Is there any type of "Stand-Alone" GFPE, for those situations where there are no GFPE breakers made, or readily available?

Looking forward to your comments!

Scott


Scott " 35 " Thompson
Just Say NO To Green Eggs And Ham!
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Joined: Apr 2002
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Scott:
IMHO, 426 does not apply. As to 427, yes basically as you described.

GFPE for the slab heat would be a design issue, dependent on the plans, and the attached specs to said plans, as to IF GFPE is required by the design team.

As to 'stand alone' GFPE/GFI devices and equipment....yes they exist, and are available. I recently posted a link on this at Mikes site regarding pond aerator (480v) equip. At this time, I do not have that link near me.

Stay safe..in the office or out!


John
Joined: Apr 2002
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Scott:
www.bender.org is one. Had to search (manually) thru 15 pages at the site to find it.

BTW, last two freezer/refrig jobs I inspected, neither called for any GF for the heat trace.



John
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Scott35 Online Happy OP
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Hey everyone,

I forgot to say Thanks for the replies!!! smile laugh

Happy Thanksgiving to all!


BTW, This thread is cross-posted over at Mike Holt's site.


Scott " 35 " Thompson
Just Say NO To Green Eggs And Ham!
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 745
E
Member
Wow, what an excellent and legitimate question to ask! I can't believe that I missed the original post. That's just another case of those "gray" areas that leave us wondering what to do.

Thanks for the mind bender there, Scott.

Best wishes to all for a safe and happy Thanksgiving weekend. I hope that you all are able to make it a long weekend and not just a day off. I'm thankful for so many things; way too many to mention, but I'm also thankful for the immense amount of knowledge that exists here. On that note, thanks for the assistance, education and entertainment.

Now for your guys across the pond, get up! It's time to go to work! grin


---Ed---

"But the guy at Home Depot said it would work."

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