Overview

Ground fault protection plays an important role in the protection of not only electrical personnel,

but the end-user as well. Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) can only protect circuits that they

are installed on, however. While this revelation may seem obvious, unless the Code requires GFCI protection on a specified circuit, GFCI protection is likely not to be installed. To remedy this, the Code simply requires GFCI protection. The 2023 NEC has updated the GFCI protection requirements of 680.21(D), regarding the replacement of pool pump motors. The new rules require GFCI protection to be installed in additional instances.

Applying the 2023 Code

Subdivision 680.21(D), which covers pool pump motor replacement, has been updated in the 2023 NEC. Previously, this section required GFCI protection to be provided when a pool pump motor was replaced, if it wasn’t already in place. This meant that GFCI protection would have to be added to the existing installation when the motor was replaced. The Code did not specify any conditions for GFCI protection to be added when a pump motor is repaired. The 2023 NEC now includes this stipulation, as it now specifies that GFCI protection is to be added if the motor is replaced, or repaired. This new requirement ensures that GFCI protection is actively being added to existing installations. It is worth noting that many times pool pump motors will exceed the operating parameters of Class A GFCI protection, and may require the use of special purpose GFCI protection (SPGFCI).

What’s New for the 2023 NEC?

2020 NEC

In the 2020 NEC Subdivision 680.21(D) read as follows:

(D) Pool Pump Motor Replacement.

Where a pool pump motor in 680.21(C) is replaced for maintenance or repair, the replacement pump motor shall be provided with ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection.

2023 NEC

In the 2023 NEC Subdivision 680.21(D) reads as follows:

(D) Pool Pump Motor Replacement.

Where a pool pump motor in 680.21(C) is replaced or repaired, the replacement or repaired pump motor shall be provided with ground-fault protection complying with 680.5(B) or (C), as applicable.