Half-hot switched to GFCI

[Jackster]

Hello,
First-time poster, long time lurker.

Can I replace a half hot switched receptacle that is used by a disposal and dishwasher to a GFCI protection?
This circuit is powered by two 20A tandem breakers that are sharing one leg from each others opposite phases.
Can't use a GFCI breaker since none are certified to work in my SMB20-40 Challenger panel.

My research shows:
That I can extent the current wiring to a 2-gang box and install a dead‑front GFCI device upstream and use the load side to power the 2nd receptacle.
Also I would need to correct the breaker by bringing both legs to a single tandem breaker.

Thanks

 

[bigb56]

Hello,
First-time poster, long time lurker.

Can I replace a half hot switched receptacle that is used by a disposal and dishwasher to a GFCI protection?
This circuit is powered by two 20A tandem breakers that are sharing one leg from each others opposite phases.
Can't use a GFCI breaker since none are certified to work in my SMB20-40 Challenger panel.

My research shows:
That I can extent the current wiring to a 2-gang box and install a dead‑front GFCI device upstream and use the load side to power the 2nd receptacle.
Also I would need to correct the breaker by bringing both legs to a single tandem breaker.

Thanks

Yes we have done that when there are no compatible GFCI breakers for an older panel. The only issue you may have is that the GFCI is supposed to be "readily accessible" and putting it under the kitchen sink may not be considered readily accessible by all inspectors, although some may say OK because at least you are doing what you can to bring it to current code.
When we did it we were coming off interior panels and we mounted the GFCIs in the wall directly under the panel. If possible you could install your deadfront in the backsplash.

Having both the DW and DSP on the same circuit is not a problem and code allows it as long as the combined load doesn't exceed the circuit rating.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Reach4]

Can I replace a half hot switched receptacle that is used by a disposal and dishwasher to a GFCI protection?
This circuit is powered by two 20A tandem breakers that are sharing one leg from each others opposite phases.
Can't use a GFCI breaker since none are certified to work in my SMB20-40 Challenger panel.

My research shows:
That I can extent the current wiring to a 2-gang box and install a dead‑front GFCI device upstream and use the load side to power the 2nd receptacle.
Also I would need to correct the breaker by bringing both legs to a single tandem breaker.

Why not use two GFCI outlets? I don't claim that would meet current codes, but it seems like an upgrade from what you have.

 

[Fitter30]

Since most dishwashers are next to sink cabinet. I'd mount the receptacles in the sink cabinet. Can either run a cord or hard wire off the bottom side. Power can come from the back side of dishwasher into sink cabinet recepts can be mounted high at the front of the cabinet

 

[Jackster]

Just found some doc that Eaton confirms BR breakers are UL listed. May try the GFCI breaker to solve this issue.
Thanks to all who responded.

 

[bigb56]

Yes, you can install a GFCI device in a 2‑gang box using the load side to power the second receptacle, and you should correct the breakers by using a single double-pole breaker for proper protection.

What is a single double pole breaker and why would the OP need one?

 

[Reach4]

What is a single double pole breaker and why would the OP need one?

Double pole breaker lets you have MWBC, is an acronym for multi-wire branch circuit, lines and still have GFCI for both. The breaker takes two adjacent slots in the panel. Double pole breakers are used for 240, but can also be used for MWBC. Downside vs two GFCI breakers in a 4 inch box is if one outlet trips the beaker, the other is dead too. Also probably costs more. Resetting tripped breaker means going to the breaker box.

Upside is of double pole breaker is you can AFCI. I don't know when AFCI is needed, but that can only be done at the breaker box. For MWBC, you can use two independently-tripped breakers with the handles tied together to cause the electrician to turn off both legs when turning off the power to one leg at the breaker. This is for worker safety.

 

[bigb56]

Double pole breaker lets you have MWBC, is an acronym for multi-wire branch circuit, lines and still have GFCI for both. The breaker takes two adjacent slots in the panel. Double pole breakers are used for 240, but can also be used for MWBC. Downside vs two GFCI breakers in a 4 inch box is if one outlet trips the beaker, the other is dead too. Also probably costs more. Resetting tripped breaker means going to the breaker box.

Upside is of double pole breaker is you can AFCI. I don't know when AFCI is needed, but that can only be done at the breaker box. For MWBC, you can use two independently-tripped breakers with the handles tied together to cause the electrician to turn off both legs when turning off the power to one leg at the breaker. This is for worker safety.

Yes I'm aware of all of this but I don't know what a single double pole breaker is. The best I can guess is @sayagi means a single, as in "one", two pole breaker. But I still don't see why a 2 pole breaker is needed for a single circuit. You can't feed an adjacent receptacle from the load side of a GFCI and have them on 2 circuits, impossible. We are not talking about a MWBC here.

Either that or Sayagi means to remove the quad/twin and replace with full size, but even this doesn't make sense, you can run a single pole circuit from one pole of a quad or a twin with no issue.

 

[Reach4]

The best I can guess is @sayagi means a single, as in "one", two pole breaker. But I still don't see why a 2 pole breaker is needed for a single circuit.

That is how I read it: a single double-pole breaker.

This circuit is powered by two 20A tandem breakers that are sharing one leg from each others opposite phases.

That means MWBC. The tandem means each leg's breaker has two circuits and two independent trips.

To me, the best solution would be to have two separate GFCI outlets -- one driven by one breaker, and the other by the other -- cheap and easy IMO. The neutral feeding the two breaker is common to both.

Driving both outlets from the same single pole breaker will not give the amps needed I think.

You can't feed an adjacent receptacle from the load side of a GFCI and have them on 2 circuits, impossible.

You can feed the adjacent GFCI hot line with the wire from the other breaker.

We are not talking about a MWBC here.

I think we are. If there is only one neutral run to the outlets, that is the only choice I think.