Electrical Question

[AgronAlum]

I’ve got a pool pump running on a GFI protected circuit but the GFI is indoors on the other side of the wall. Any reason to put a GFI outlet on the exterior for the pool pump to plug directly in to? Is double stacking GFI outlets on the same circuit an issue other than troubleshooting if something trips?

 

[alarson]

Not an electrician but have replaced enough outlets over the years. I don't think it'd be unsafe but both might trip anyway if they're doubled so youd still have the same problem of having to go inside.

You could maybe connect the GFCI on the outside to the 'line' side of the GFCI outlet and it wouldn't be double stacked as it'd be skipping the protection from the first one

 

[cyphoon]

Any reason to put a GFI outlet on the exterior for the pool pump to plug directly in to?

There is no electrical reason to do this, as long as your existing exterior outlet is on the protected side of the internal GFCI.

Is double stacking GFI outlets on the same circuit an issue other than troubleshooting if something trips?

You might see false positive trips if you double stack, especially if the downstream GFCI is a fancy, new model that periodically does a self test. Other than this false positive nuisance, there should not be a downer when it comes to safety. You will be protected against ground faults at the pool with one internal, or 2 stacked GFCIs

My advice is to go one of two routes

1- Replace the internal GFCI with a high quality GFCI outlet if the existing one is more than 5-10 years old. Just let the outside outlet sit downstream of the internal GFCI.

2- If you really want a GFCI outlet outside that you plug the pool directly into, then run a separate 20 A circuit to a weather protected box with a new 20 A GFCI in it. You won't be more protected, but you will be highly immune to false GFI trips, and you will know where to look if the pump stops running.

PS: this should not be considered professional advice

H

 

[AgronAlum]

There is no electrical reason to do this, as long as your existing exterior outlet is on the protected side of the internal GFCI.



You might see false positive trips if you double stack, especially if the downstream GFCI is a fancy, new model that periodically does a self test. Other than this false positive nuisance, there should not be a downer when it comes to safety. You will be protected against ground faults at the pool with one internal, or 2 stacked GFCIs

My advice is to go one of two routes

1- Replace the internal GFCI with a high quality GFCI outlet if the existing one is more than 5-10 years old. Just let the outside outlet sit downstream of the internal GFCI.

2- If you really want a GFCI outlet outside that you plug the pool directly into, then run a separate 20 A circuit to a weather protected box with a new 20 A GFCI in it. You won't be more protected, but you will be highly immune to false GFI trips, and you will know where to look if the pump stops running.

PS: this should not be considered professional advice

H

The GFCI was replaced about 5 years ago (Legrand from Menards) when I replaced all the receptacles and switches in the house.

I was just confused by what I was reading online about pumps and extension cords. We’ve had pools before and I assumed the warning about extension cords was so people didn’t undersize the cords for the size of the pump. Reading more into it, it seems there’s a risk of shock which didn’t make sense to me if everything was on a GFCI circuit.

My options are:

Keep everything as is and run an extension cord off a regular outlet that is GFCI protected inside the house.

Replace the outlet outside with a GFCI outlet and double stack the GFCI outlets.

Replace the outlet outside with a normal outlet that is weather protected and fits the direct plug from the pool filter. Still only protected from the GFCI from inside the house.

I’m not running a whole new circuit for the pump. It’s a minimal draw on a 15A circuit that already exists within reach.

 

[Sousaclone]

From my understanding (at least through what I've learned via somewhat reputable sources on the internet), as long as you've got a GFI outlet upstream of the outdoor outlet you are protected downstream.

 

[JEFF420]

anyone with a pool:

I added a Wifi controller to my pump. set a schedule to turn on at 7am and off at 7pm

best upgrade in a long time. don't have to piss with it anymore

Amazon product

 

[AllInForISU]

I’ve got a pool pump running on a GFI protected circuit but the GFI is indoors on the other side of the wall. Any reason to put a GFI outlet on the exterior for the pool pump to plug directly in to? Is double stacking GFI outlets on the same circuit an issue other than troubleshooting if something trips?

No issues. But not necessary at all. Just put in a standard outlet that is run off the load side of the existing GFCI