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Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Question:
Re: CQD answer published Friday, Oct 10, 2014
Charlie,
Before I was promoted into the Office when GFCI’s were young there were a number of issues brought up about loss of food due to GFCI tripping. As a field inspector I reminded customers and contractors that any number of items could cause loss of power over and above GFCI tripping and I suggested that the customer consider installing a monitored temperature system. I had installed one in a Grocery Store that monitored Case temperature as well as motor load, inlet and exhaust pressure at pump. All monitored by computer so they could tell if system was losing charge and needed maintenance. A simple temperature alarm to make the customer aware of temperature loss would do.
Paul R. Wilson
A
Answer:
Hey Paul thanks for your comments. Yes other problems could result in power outages so monitoring the temperature can be beneficial similar to what Nick described in yesterday's CQD. The original submitter used an example of a refrigerator or freezer in a garage which I assumed to be a residential situation so monitoring might not be attended or desirable by the homeowner. We don't want to lose sight of the GFCI purpose, if it trips there is probably a problem that could result in an electric shock or electrocution. That is much worse than spoiled food or even warm beer but you might want to consider that monitoring option..
210.8(A)(2)