The Electrical Code

215.10 Ground-Fault Protection of Equipment. To start we need to be clear that if the shutting of the equipment cause more harm then leaving it on then disregard. We what to protect even the equipment when shutting off will mean destroying equipment but not affecting human life, then as the person installing this equipment needs to make those decisions that will not affect human life. I have installed equipment that has large breakers that have a controlled logic system inside of it that allows me to program the breaker to shut off when it sees a ground fault or I can disregard this setting all together so that the breaker does not shut off but continue to work because there is no threat to human life. For instance if we install a freezer in a home we do not want this device on a GFI because it has a chance of shutting down and spoiling all the food that is stored in that freezer. But if there is a chance for someone to get hurt by that electrical outlet then it should be protected by a GFI and the freezer should be installed on an out let that has a twist lock so not anyone can just walk by and install something in that circuit. I can give you and so can the code book a million different situation where a GFI should be used and where it should not be used. What I think it wants to do is give you the opportunity to make a decision with out hurting someone in the process. It’s about options to install something that will not affect someone negatively but gives you electrical power that can work effectively. It’s all about safety in this article.

“Each feeder disconnect rated 1000 amperes or more and installed on solidly grounded wye electrical systems of more than 150 volts to ground, but not exceeding 600 volts phase-to-phase, shall be provided with ground-fault protection of equipment in accordance with the provisions of 230.95.

Informational Note: For buildings that contain health care occupancies, see the requirements of 517.17.

Exception No. 1: The provisions of this section shall not apply to a disconnecting means for a continuous industrial process where a non-orderly shutdown will introduce additional or increased hazards.

Exception No. 2: The provisions of this section shall not apply if ground-fault protection of equipment is provided on the supply side of the feeder and on the load side of any transformer supplying the feeder.”