How do you add a switch on a circuit that has a dedicated 20A GFI circut breaker?

Question

I installed a sub panel for a swimming pool pump. It is connected to a 20 A GFI circuit breaker in the main breaker panel per code. I would like to add a switch to the sub panel at the pump. When I have tried this it works fine until I turn the switch off, then the breaker trips. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Yu can add more outlets to the circuit safely. You just add them as you would a normal circuit, but add them down stream of the breaker. the new circuit will also be on the GFI circuit.

I did this to add a light pole next to a pool and an extra outdoor plug tht could be used by the pool.

BUT, it ended up being so handy that I had to eventually add a complete new circuit because of too much load on the first.

Answer 2

Code does not require that the GFCI breaker be located in the main panel, only that the pool pump Equipment Grounding Conductor originate in the Main Panel. The GFCI Circuit breaker can be installed at the feeder panel. (When more than 1 circuit is installed at a remote location, the feeder panel (sub-panel) is required to have the enclosure bonded to a driven electrode at the remote site or at an  accessory  structure – remember, the NEC defines even a remote power pole as a “structure”.

{What else do you have supplied from the feeder panel? If the panel is supplied only from a single pole, 20 Amp GFCI breaker, it is installed wrong. A sub-panel is required only when more than one additional circuit has been added, then, it is required by Code to be a minimum of 30 Amps for 2 circuits, and 60 Amps for more than 2 circuits.}

Be sure that the sub-panel has the bonding jumper removed from it (or be sure that one was never installed).

It is very common to use a switch as a disconnecting means for a pool pump. Be sure that the switch is rated for the ACTUAL load - if the start-up current required for the pump is over 18 Amps, use a 30 Amp rated switch. The switch, when mounted outside, must be in a weather-tight box, with a listed weather-tight cover. (A pool must have a listed disconnecting means no less than 5' from the inside wall of the pool; but it must be able to be seen from the pool.)

The NEC also requires that any other outlets (lights, fans, etc.) between 10 and 20 feet from the pool by on GFCI protected circuits. It states that the required receptacle (for servicing the pool, plugging in radios, etc.) be on a "General Purpose Branch Circuit"; this means that the pool pump should not share a circuit with any other outlets.

A correctly wired switch should operate with no problems, even on a GFCI protected circuit. Be sure that the switch is rated for a minimum of a 20 Amp circuit; and if you cannot get things figured out, hire a qualified, licensed Electrical Contractor to fix the problem.

Answer 3

You simply cannot tamper with a GFI protected circuit! To do so will defeate it's purpose. Every trip will degrade it's abbillity to respond correctly and timely. My suggestion is to leave it alone. Why you infer to interfear with it is not understood. Has not the pump a service center it's-self?