GFCI breaker Vs. GFCI plus breaker

[trickett]

GFCI breakers may be installed to provide GFCI protection on a circuit, but as you all know they are expensive being $30. to $50. each.

On the other hand GFCI receptacles are about $8.00 each and GE breakers (15 and 20 amp) are about $3.50 each here in Kansas City.

Would it be legal (code) to wire through a GFCI (mounted near the panel)from the panels breaker
to the circuit?

Wiring through a GFCI would result in a savings or $20. to $40. dollars for each circuit. Note the GFCI's would be mounted in a box adjacent to the panel.

 

[electricmanscott]

Re: GFCI breaker Vs. GFCI plus breaker

Sure it's legal but why not just install the gfci receptacle at the first outlet on the circuit?

 

[tonyi]

Re: GFCI breaker Vs. GFCI plus breaker

Originally posted by electricmanscott:
Sure it's legal but why not just install the gfci receptacle at the first outlet on the circuit?

There's two schools of thought here.

a) Keep all trippable things in one place, so the user only has to go to one place in the house to resolve something not working.

b) Trip only at the point of fault to keep other parts of the branch alive.

Both have advantages.

a) has the added advantage that the GFCI near/in the panel is ALSO providing a limited measure of downstream wiring system protection against some types of cable damage and arcs (anything that could cause GF leakage, but not of the magnitude needed for an ordinary breaker to trip)

 

[racraft]

Re: GFCI breaker Vs. GFCI plus breaker

Don't forget to include the cost of mounting the GFCI outlet in the comparison,

This is not only the cost of the GFCI outlet, but a box for it with a cover and the labor to add the short piece of wire to connect it to the breaker.

 

[Guest]

Re: GFCI breaker Vs. GFCI plus breaker

Rumor has it that the breakers are faster acting.

Also, with a breaker it's easier to see that it's tripped.

Plus, a GFCI receptacle can get covered up.

I too am thinking by the time you cut in a box for the GFCI you're going to lose in labor value what you make up for in material savings. I'm assuming this is a retrofit situation. If it's new work then it may not be permitted, as it would might conflict with dedicated circuit requirements (i.e.- for bathrooms; kitchens; etc.)-- unless the panel & receptacle end up being in the room that requires the dedicated circuit (or you could use a blank-face GFCI).