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SAFETY BULLETIN
GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT
INTERRUPTERS
1 OF 4
12/86,05/91, 02/98, 02/02
3/4/2002 7:32 AM
AUTHOR:
NAME: Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters
Mark A. Wilburn w/ Electrical Subcommittee
APPROVAL: John Shamburger
DATE:
02/02
02/02
GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTERS
1.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this Safety Bulletin is to establish guidelines for the usage of Ground
Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI's) and portable lighting systems in order to minimize the possibility of personal injury.
2.0 POLICY AND GUIDELINES
2.1 All electric tools and equipment used in the plant shall be grounded (unless double insulated). Cord connected equipment shall either have their cords shorted to 12” in length and will be used with GFCI protected extension cords or a GFCI shall be installed on the end of the cord.
2.2 GFCI's may be used to provide temporary power requirements for job task lighting, portable power tools, appliances, and test instruments in tanks and vessels, outdoor locations, or other approved locations, as an alternative to low voltage lighting, or to pneumatically, hydraulically, or manually operated tools and equipment.
2.3 GFCI's may be used on temporary or permanently wired receptacle outlet systems or on separately derived systems such as portable generators.
2.4 GFCI’s shall not be used in locations, such as tanks, vessels, sumps, vaults, manholes, ditches, excavations, etc., which may contain standing water or other electrically conductive liquids. These locations shall be drained of all standing liquids before GFCI’s are considered for use. If these locations cannot be drained of all standing liquids, job tasks shall be performed only by using pneumatic, hydraulic , or manual methods, and low voltage lighting.
2.5 GFCI’s shall be placed outside the entry point to the work area such that all electrical equipment, including extension cords, and their associated plugs and receptacles, inside the work area is protected by a GFCI device.
2.6 GFCI’s approved for use in the plant shall be UL listed, shall be equipped with neutral sensing monitors, and shall be designed such that the device automatically trips when it is disconnected, unplugged, or otherwise looses input power, and

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SAFETY BULLETIN
GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT
INTERRUPTERS
2 OF 4
12/86,05/91, 02/98, 02/02
3/4/2002 7:32 AM must be manually reset when it is reconnected, plugged-in, or when input power is otherwise restored.
2.7 Approved GFCI devices are available from storestock. The list of approved GFCI devices is found at the end of this safety bulletin. Additional GFCI devices shall be approved by the appropriate Maintenance Electrical Engineer.
2.8 In lieu of low voltage lighting systems, GFCI's may be used to provide temporary power requirements for 120 VAC lighting systems. A list of lighting systems approved for use with GFCI's is found at the end of this safety bulletin.
Additional lighting systems shall be approved by the appropriate Maintenance
Electrical Engineer.
3.0 TESTING
3.1 GFCI’s approved for use in the Plant are self-tested whenever they are used, as detailed in paragraph 2.6.
4.0 CONTRACTORS
4.1 Contractors (other than Agency Contractors) shall provide their own GFCI's for use in tanks and vessels and outdoor locations to provide temporary power requirements for lighting, portable power tools and appliances, and test instruments.
4.2 Contractors' GFCI's may be used on temporary or permanently wired receptacle outlet systems or on separately derived systems such as portable generators.
4.3 Contractors shall be responsible for testing and documenting the testing of their own GFCI's.
4.5 GFCI's shall be used only in approved locations, in accordance with paragraph
2.0.
5.0 SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
5.1 GFCI devices are arc producing devices and as such they must be used judiciously in classified areas. Ignition source permits shall be obtained in accordance with established procedures prior to the use of GFCI devices in classified areas.
5.2 Ground Fault Receptacles (GFR's) may be installed in such locations as laboratories, lavatories, kitchens, sink areas, analyzer buildings, and other similar

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SAFETY BULLETIN
GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT
INTERRUPTERS
3 OF 4
12/86,05/91, 02/98, 02/02
3/4/2002 7:32 AM locations. These GFR's shall not be used in lieu of GFCI's required for work performed in locations such as tanks and vessels and outdoor areas described in this Safety Bulletin
5.3 Ground Fault Receptacles (GFR's) installed in such locations as laboratories, lavatories, kitchens, sink areas, analyzer buildings, and other similar locations shall be installed in a dead end type configuration to prevent the inadvertent loss of other critical loads which may be on the same circuit.

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SAFETY BULLETIN
GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT
INTERRUPTERS
4 OF 4
12/86,05/91, 02/98, 02/02
3/4/2002 7:32 AM
APPROVED GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTERS
Daniel Woodhead --
# 3490 series
Ericson --
Technology Research Corporation (TRC) --
#14880R

#2500

Fully guarded drop lights:
APPROVED LIGHTING SYSTEMS
Daniel Woodhead --
# 1000 series fluorescent lamps
Ericson --
# 100 series high pressure sodium lights
# 800 series fluorescent lamps