GFCI In Series Qustion

[zan3120]

First off: Great site, long time lurker, first post.
I have a combination storage & pool shed. Shed panel and ungerground run are protected by a two pole gfci breaker in the main box in the house 200' away. I'm adding an outside outlet adjacent to the pool. If I install a gfci outlet here, will it trip first, saving a walk to the house basement to reset?
thanks, mark

 

[pattenp]

I assume the second GFCI is being wired off one of the 120V legs of the 240V circuit and that the second GFCI is going to be on the load side of the first GFCI. So I'd say both will trip on a fault.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If I install a gfci outlet here, will it trip first, saving a walk to the house basement to reset?
thanks, mark

In theory, it should, but there is no guarantee.

 

[Executive]

The ground fault device that is more sensitive will open first. This sensitivity depends on the location and nature of the fault. Also, there are several types of two-pole GFCI breakers, some with a neutral, some without. Not sure why the GFCI breaker is being used for this feeder, but I would consult with a local licensed electrician. My recommendation would be to replace this breaker with a standard OCPD breaker and install GFCI protection on an individual basis where necessary.

Chris

 

[nehog]

The ground fault device that is more sensitive will open first. This sensitivity depends on the location and nature of the fault. Also, there are several types of two-pole GFCI breakers...

Different types of GFCI devices will trip at different points, and even identical ones will trip differently due to component tolerance variations.

 

[pattenp]

I imagine the GFCI breaker is required because the circuit is for a swimming pool pump.

The ground fault device that is more sensitive will open first. This sensitivity depends on the location and nature of the fault. Also, there are several types of two-pole GFCI breakers, some with a neutral, some without. Not sure why the GFCI breaker is being used for this feeder, but I would consult with a local licensed electrician. My recommendation would be to replace this breaker with a standard OCPD breaker and install GFCI protection on an individual basis where necessary.

Chris

 

[brewchief]

The ground fault device that is more sensitive will open first. This sensitivity depends on the location and nature of the fault. Also, there are several types of two-pole GFCI breakers, some with a neutral, some without. Not sure why the GFCI breaker is being used for this feeder, but I would consult with a local licensed electrician. My recommendation would be to replace this breaker with a standard OCPD breaker and install GFCI protection on an individual basis where necessary.

Chris

GFCI is probably being used because it is feeding either a panel powering pool equipment or pool equipment directly, I would not replace the breaker with anything else without doing a very though inspection by an electrician who is well versed in wiring pool equipment, there are some very specific code requirements for pool equipment and other wiring in the pool area.

I would use a GFCI outlet regardless of any upstream protection, the few dollars extra would be worth it even if it is redundant.