What needs GFCI breakers

[darthv]

Hello,
I have 240v pump, heater. 120v pool lights. All are in a subpanel. Do they all need to be gfci protected?

if only the lights need gfci can I just replace the light switch with a combo gfci/switch instead of replacing the breaker?

 

[Newdude]

if only the lights need gfci can I just replace the light switch with a combo gfci/switch instead of replacing the breaker?

My lights were run with a regular breaker to a GFCI outlet with the light and switch fed from the load side. Its usually done that way because the equipment pad outlet is oh so handy to have and the light will only use a fraction of the 20A breakers load.

the pump needs a GFCI / Arc fault breaker but the heater doesn’t.

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

the pump needs a GFCI / Arc fault breaker but the heater doesn’t.

This is my understanding also, but why? Shouldn't any component that involves electricity and water and bonding to the pool need a GFCI?

 

[Newdude]

This is my understanding also, but why? Shouldn't any component that involves electricity and water and bonding to the pool need a GFCI?

To my understanding the pump and the light have direct contact between possibly electrified parts and the water just passes through the heater with enough components separating the electricity from the water.