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170.28.4.4
In Reply to: RE: Hospital receptacle GFCI vs. Dead-front spec GFCI... posted by Neuro on September 17, 2008 at 16:34:24
There is no internal difference between regular GFCI receptacles and the dead-front ones. The dead-front ones just cover up the plug contacts. Internally, all of the GFCIs, regardless of manufacturer are basically the same -- I've seen the insides -- thin circuit board traces carrying the load current, puny contacts in both poles of the GFCI mechanism, ferrous parts in the wire clamps. I used to have old pictures I took of the insides of a GFCI receptacle somewhere on my PC. If I find them I will post a follow up.I installed dead-front GFCIs in my first DIY balanced power project. By my first revision, they were out. Now I don't use them and just exercise greater care with balanced power. I've looked into earth leakage circuit breakers by Carlingswitch as a possible alternative but they have been impossible to find in-stock anywhere online.
Edits: 09/18/08Follow Ups:
Glen,
Thanks for your input. What measures to you take, now that you do not use a GFCI with your balanced power conditioner? I thought that balanced power might be more prone to ground faults (hence the requirement in the code), but I have yet to trip the GFCI in my stock Equitech.
Did you notice a significant improvement upon removing the GFCI entirely?
I poked around on the Carling Tech site and found the ground leakage breaker you were talking about. Yeah... you'd probably need to order like 100 to get the ones with the correct specifications. :(
Thanks again,
Nils
No out of the ordinary measures. I am the only one with access to my balanced power unit and know what I have plugged into it. Unlike with your standard household power where the neutral side is grounded, with balanced power, both 60V legs are hot. When you plug any equipment that has a single pole power switch into a regular household receptacle, the unswitched side is connected to the neutral, which is grounded. When that same equipment is plugged into balanced power, even when the power switch is in the off position, the unswitched side will be live. Yes, I did notice a difference without the (two GFCIs since I use separate trannys for my analog and digital equipment).
> > What measures to you take, now that you do not use a GFCI with your balanced power conditioner? < <
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
One test I can think of is to measure the voltage from each Hot Line output of the xfmr to ground with all the connected loads turned on.
First check the voltage to ground of each Hot Line to ground with out any loads connected. The voltage should be equal. Say 60V from each Line to ground. This voltage reading will become the reference voltage for future testing.
With loads connected and turned on again check the voltage from each Hot line to ground. The reading should be equal from each Line to ground.
If the reading is not equal and one Line is lower than the reference voltage then that would indicate a ground fault in one, or more than one, piece of equipment.
A GFI recept will detect an imbalance in the ac circuit and trip the GFI recept open. That is why GFCI protection is required.
As little as 4 ma differential ground fault current flow will cause a GFI recept to trip open.
It can eliminate the chance of a severe electrical shock.
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