New VSP pump and GFCI question

[New pump Guy]

Hello everyone, I'm very new and green in regards to pools. I just bought a home 6 months ago with a nice in ground pool but the old single speed pump went out. I scheduled a installation appointment for a new jandy vs pro pump. It was recommended to me that I should install a GFCI breaker for the pump, before the pump guy came I had an electrician come to put a GFCI breaker in, but he left the little 20a in the subpanel for the pump and instead he installed a 40a double pole GFCI breaker at the main pool panel? (I believe it's called the main). He says now all of my pool equipment is protected,not just the pump. My questions are is he correct in what he said? And do I still need a GFCI in the sub panel dedicated for the pump? Or is it good now? Thanks everyone . I attached the GFCI he installed in the "main pool equipment panel" and a picture of the sub panel as it currently sits

 

[New pump Guy]

Not sure the pictures uploaded, I'll try here

 

[Jimrahbe]

Guy,

Well, I think your electrician is technically correct that everything in the automation is now GFCI protected..

But.. I think that is a pretty stupid way to do it. While it costs more, it is always better to add GFCI protection to each circuit that you want to protect.

I would have put the GFCI breakers in the automation load center.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ajw22]

Your problem is should the 40A GFCI trip it will shut down all your pool equipment and how will you figure out which device is causing the GFCI trip?

A GFCI on each circuit that requires it may be a bit more expensive now and make it clear what device is malfunctioning. And the rest of your equipment will keep running.

 

[New pump Guy]

Thanks guys, so I understand everything is now GFCI protected but a trip will now be harder to track down because of the lack of individual GFCI.

Should I add a GFCI breaker in the sub panel for the pump itself too? Thanks again

 

[ajw22]

Should I add a GFCI breaker in the sub panel for the pump itself too? Thanks again

Too? No.

You don’t want two GFCIs on a circuit. That would further complicate things.

I would remove the 40A GFCI and put GFCIs in the circuits that require them.

Electrical GFCI - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

I think your electrician did what he did because your pool panel cannot easily accommodate GFCI CBs since you have quad breakers. The circuits in the panel need to be moved around or the panel replaced to have required GFCIs for your pool pump and waterfall pump.

And it is a big safety issue that your pool light CB is not GFCI unless it is low voltage LED.

What is the quad breaker on the lower right for?

 

[New pump Guy]

So the quad breaker on the bottom right is for the new VSP pump, the pump installer put that in The quad breaker on the top left was for the old pump and waterfall, now obviously it's just for the waterfall and the other section turned off.

Weird question, the pump installer mentioned he needs to put in a "new style breaker" he said he got a bad one and it kept tripping so he put that old style in until he comes back Monday. Any idea what "new style breaker" means?

Also, I know how it's set up now will be tricky to track down any trips, but as far as safety everything is protected good right? That's my main concern for now.

I appreciate everyone here so much.

 

[ajw22]

So the quad breaker on the bottom right is for the new VSP pump, the pump installer put that in

VSP Pump and what else?

Why a quad breaker instead of a normal breaker?

The quad breaker on the top left was for the old pump and waterfall, now obviously it's just for the waterfall and the other section turned off.

The labels should be changed to not confuse anyone working on the panel.

Weird question, the pump installer mentioned he needs to put in a "new style breaker" he said he got a bad one and it kept tripping so he put that old style in until he comes back Monday. Any idea what "new style breaker" means?

No idea. That 40A GFCI is the correct type of Seimans breaker.

Also, I know how it's set up now will be tricky to track down any trips, but as far as safety everything is protected good right?

Yes.