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Posted by terry on May 17, 2008, 7:43 pm
>
> > Ran a three wire #12 AWG (Black, Red, White plus ground) from 20 amp
> > DP breaker to a duplex NEMA 230 volt 15 amp outlet above a garage work
> > bench, (concrete floor), then extended 115 volts (Black, White and
> > ground) from it to two regular duplex 115 volt 15 amp outlets also
> > mounted above bench. Purpose of the 230 is that we have a couple of
> > 230 volt tools. Purpose of the 115 v. outlets, regular tools and small
> > bench mounted grinder.
>
> Around here, I think it's non-code to split a 115V circuit off a 230
> one. No idea if that's true where you are. Your inspector will know.
>
> At any rate, if you want to put a 20A breaker on this, all the wiring
> all the way to the end must be 12ga or heavier. You might as well use
> 20A T-slots for those 115V outlets, but I believe you don't have to
> (contrary to popular opinion).
>
> > Thinking best way to GFCI all those outlets would be to have a GFCI
> > breaker, BUT; with either of 115 duplex in use there will be unequal
> > currents in the two legs of the GFCI breaker. So it will trip????
>
> Yup. Your only option, if you want to put GF protection on the whole
> circuit, is a dual-pole GFCI breaker in the panel. Brace yourself,
> these aren't cheap.
>
> > Is there such a thing as a standard North American 230 volt GFCI
> > outlet? [...]
>
> Don't think so.
>
> > Or GFCI the first outlet following the 230 volt so it protects both of
> > the 115 volt ones? The 230 volt outlet then being non GFCI protected.
>
> Yes, that would work, if you and your inspector decide the 230 V
> outlet doesn't need GF protection.
>
> [...]
>
> > Same thing could occur with what here is called a 'split outlet' (can
> > double the capacity and/or allow two heavier appliances, especially
> > kitchens, plugged into both halves of same outlet) whereby the tab
> > between upper and lower halves of a duplex 115 volt outlet is removed
> > and opposite 115 volt legs wired to each half.
>
> Yes, exactly. Up here, split outlets are still common and legal for
> kitchens; only outlets within 1 metre of the sink need to be GF
> protected. Those *can* be protected by a dual-pole GFCI in the panel,
> but they may also be 20A single-circuit GFCI outlets.
>
> Chip C
> Toronto
Thanks for all the comments. Futher to the original post.
Have just checked:
The Square D breaker feeding the circuit is DP 15 amp.
There are three outlets above garage work bench.
The wiring to the first outlet, the duplex 230 volt 15 amp one, is #14
AWG. (R,B,W & gnd.)
=46rom that (single leg) B,W & gnd are extended to the other two duplex
115 volt outlets. Not sure if that is #12 or #14 but that's immaterial
anyway.
Will check provincial electrical regs. to see if GFCI is required for
the 230 volt outlet in view that it is a concrete garage floor.
If GFCI IS required; will either;
a) Do away with the 230 volt outlet and convert it to a 115 GFCI
(using one leg) to protect itself and two downstream outlets. i.e all
outlets on that run. And replace DP breaker with a SP 15 amp. I've got
spare one somewhere!.
b) Retain all outlets as is and fit a 15 amp GFCI DP breaker; sounds
like I'm looking at $40 to $50?????? But might as well; do it right!
If GFCI NOT required
c) Will refit the second 115 duplex outlet with a GFCI to protect
itself and the other outlet downstream of it.
Sound OK?
Thanks again.
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