GFCI options

stolenricecakes · Joined: 07 Feb 2011 Posts: 4 Location: O'Fallon, MO

Hello!

I'm in the process of preparing my space for my build and was weighing the best way to provide GFCI protection for my electrical service. I'm planning a much simpler version of the build detailed on this fantastic site and have determined that my rig will need a 30 amp supply. The least expensive GFCI option that I've found up to this point is a spa panel that comes with a 50 amp GFCI breaker for ~ $50.

I'm planning on having the 50 amp GFCI breaker installed in my main breaker box and installing a regular 30 amp breaker in the spa panel to power the rig. I could then add other breakers to the spa panel if the need ever arose.

Would I be sacrificing any GFCI protection in this type of set up? Would I be better served to just run a circuit with a 30 amp GFCI breaker instead?

Thanks!

**kal** · Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 8:27 pm Post subject:

Are you sure the spa panel includes a 50A GFCI 2-pole breaker? Most GFCI breakers are 2-4 times that much for just the breaker alone.

I found the cheapest (and most convenient) way was to use the cable with built-in GFCI that I used.

It's here: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?LH_CAds=&_ex_kw=&_fpos=&_fspt=1&_mPrRngCbx=1&_nkw=30A+ground+fault+interrupt&_sacat=&_sadis=&_sop=12&_udhi=&_udlo=&_fosrp=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5336652980&toolid=20008&mkevt=1

$77 with free shipping.

With it you get the plug and a 17' cord which cost significantly more than the $27 extra you're paying. You also don't get either when you buy a spa breaker panel.

Kal

stolenricecakes · Joined: 07 Feb 2011 Posts: 4 Location: O'Fallon, MO

Kal, thanks for the response - and for the link. I hadn't found a cord like that for anywhere near that price. Sounds like that would be a better option than what I was thinking of.

Just for the record - the spa panel I was referring to can be found here:

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100686230/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

When I saw it in the store, I thought it included a 50A 2 pole GFCI breaker - however this page makes me question that a bit... not sure what to make of the wording "...with GFI".

Thanks again![/url]

**kal** · Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 3:09 am Post subject:

Yes, it seems *really* cheap. When I looked into it (albeit it was 2+ years ago) a 2-pole GFI breaker was considerably over $100 just for the breaker itself!

Kal

coffeediver · Joined: 18 Dec 2010 Posts: 174 Location: Kiowa CO.

I had bought the spa panel from Home Depot but returned it once the GFCI cord came available again. It does come with a 2-pole breaker in the panel. It also has places to add other breakers in it. It would have been harder to wire up for me and the GFCI cord was much easier to deal with.

**kal** · Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 1:44 pm Post subject:

Give this a read too if you haven't already: http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/control-panel-part-2?page=3

For what it's worth, everyone that uses the same GFI power card that I do keep telling me that it's by far the least expensive solution.

Kal

crush · Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 706 Location: Telemark, Norway

I couldn't find a 230v cable with integrated GFCI, but what I ended up with was quite inexpensive too:

- GFCI/overload protector inside the control panel, $22
- 6' 10/3 cable - $5. (I bought 65' for $55, since the brew area is quite far from the 30A outlet.)
- 30A plug - $10 (from Norway, so it was quite expensive, here they use strange plugs for the 30A outlets.)
- 4" DIN rail, $3

about $40 for all.