Refrigerator on GFCI circuit - InspectionNews

Phillip Stojanik · #1 (**permalink**) 07-28-2007, 03:04 PM

I did a new construction townhouse inspection today and noticed the electrical receptacle outlet installed for the refrigerator niche in the kitchen was downstream of one of the kitchen countertop GFCI devices.

Everything I can find in the code says this is "OK" but it sure "feels" wrong to me. The only thing I can come up with at the moment is a potential for inadvertent shutdown of the refrigerator and possible food spoilage.

I checked the owner's manual of my own side-by-side GE. No real help there. They "recommend" a dedicated circuit but stopped short of specifying one and GFCI protection is not mentioned at all as being good or bad.

Maybe I am stuck on stupid but I just don't like the idea of a high induction motor load on a GFCI but I can't find anything to concretely back up that dislike.

Anyone have any suggestions?

John Arnold · #2 (**permalink**) 07-28-2007, 03:30 PM

If you search the forum using "nuisance gfci" you'll see posts, especially by J.P. about this.

Jim Luttrall · #3 (**permalink**) 07-28-2007, 03:33 PM

Quote:

The only thing I can come up with at the moment is a potential for inadvertent shutdown of the refrigerator and possible food spoilage.

The potential for loss due to food spoilage is enough for me... but you might have a tough time convincing the builder to change. It is more of an issue for the garage outlet and a freezer. I have come across several of these when testing outdoor outlets and find the freezer is off (and usually blocking the reset).
I think your only recourse is common sense on this one.

Randy Aldering · #4 (**permalink**) 07-28-2007, 04:27 PM

Just explain it to your client the way you explained it here, that there may be a problem with nuisance tripping, which could lead to spoiled food. For some reason, we have been conditioned to have some kind of specific answer for builders or real estate agents. It seems, more and more, that the best explanation might just be "because it's stupid". Practicality seems lost these days, and as one client recently lamented (an attorney by training) "there is no reason any more", meaning that people seem incapable of reasoning things out any more. Well Mr. Builder or Mrs. Realtor, how would you feel about your builder or real estate agent if you came home from a week in Georgia to find your refrigerator stinking worse than the sewer plant? Uh huh, well then it makes sense to change it, doesn't it? You have a point. Thank you.

Philip Desmarais · #5 (**permalink**) 07-28-2007, 07:25 PM

According to the 2005 NEC the only receptacles requiring GFCI protection in the kitchen are "where the receptacles are installed to serve the countertop surfaces". There are no exceptions noted in the NEC.

Jerry Peck · #6 (**permalink**) 07-28-2007, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philip Desmarais

According to the 2005 NEC the only receptacles requiring GFCI protection in the kitchen are "where the receptacles are installed to serve the countertop surfaces". There are no exceptions noted in the NEC.

But ...

That also does not 'prohibit' installing GFCI protection on the refrigerator circuit.

Trent Tarter · #7 (**permalink**) 07-28-2007, 11:15 PM

I recommend not having refrigerator receptacles on GFCI protected receptacles. Due to possible nuisance tripping and food spoilage. I do not refer to any code it just makes common sense.

John Steinke · #8 (**permalink**) 08-02-2007, 07:32 AM

I think we are getting away from 'inspection' and into 'design.'

The NEC does not require refrigerators to be on a GFI. Nor is the practice prohibited.

There are several methods where you could have a non-GFI protected receptacle for the fridge, and still comply with the NEC. Ditto for the garbage disposal and the dishwasher.

From an academic standpoint, there have been many changes on GFI design over the years; the fears of nuisance tripping seem to have been addressed.

From a maintenance standpoint, it seems that - believe it or not - that sometimes the fridge trips the GFI because the fridge is faulty, and the GFI is actually doing it's job.

Whatever the case, it has no bearing on the inspection. It would be improper to let 'design' enter into your inspection.

Jerry Peck · #9 (**permalink**) 08-02-2007, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Steinke

The NEC does not require refrigerators to be on a GFI. Nor is the practice prohibited.

Glad to see we agree there.

Quote:

From an academic standpoint, there have been many changes on GFI design over the years; the fears of nuisance tripping seem to have been addressed.

From a maintenance standpoint, it seems that - believe it or not - that sometimes the fridge trips the GFI because the fridge is faulty, and the GFI is actually doing it's job.

What has mainly been addressed is the allowable level of ground fault current within the appliances themselves - it has been lowered significantly, such that they no longer trip GFCIs, unless there is a problem with the appliance.

Which, as you stated, means the GFCI is doing what it is intended to do.

Quote:

It would be improper to let 'design' enter into your inspection.

"Design" is not entering into the inspections, inquiring into what is required, what is allowed, and what is not allowed is necessary for proper inspections.

Richard Stanley · #10 (**permalink**) 08-02-2007, 05:12 PM

Any thoughts on the refrig being on an AFCI circuit post 2008??

Jerry Peck · #11 (**permalink**) 08-02-2007, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Stanley

Any thoughts on the refrig being on an AFCI circuit post 2008??

Should not be a problem.