Do I need to have a separate direct line from the Circuit breaker if I am already using a GFCI outlet?

Question

I am planning to replace my old bath tub with a whirlpool and it's motor requires a 120v/15 amp power. Reviewing the installation instructions, I noticed that American Standards company which manufactures the unit is asking for a separate line from the circuit breaker( power supply panel). I am wondering, if I use a GFCI outlet in the bathroom for the motor I would be able to avoid the hassle and cost of new wiring from the panel all the way to the bathroom. 
Here is what the instruction says:
GFCI CIRCUIT REQUIREMENTS:
The whirlpool should be installed on a 120 vac, 15 amp dedicated 
GFCI circuit. 
 The circuit should be hard-wired from the electrical power supply panel. The 
circuit must be a three (3) wire circuit from the electrical supply panel. A 
grounded neutral wire and a third wire, earth ground, are essential. "

So, can I just add a new GFCI protected outlet to an already GFCI outlet in the bathroom and use it? Or do I need to wire the new outlet all the way to the Circuit breaker box?
My thinking is that, the worst thing that can happen is that IF the load is too much, the new GFCI outlet will trip and I will be able to reconnect it. In case that is happening too often I can always go ahead and get a wire directly from the circuit breaker box then!
Thanks for the help.

Kurtis G · Accepted Answer

holifieldrobert got it right, I just want to clarify.

The GFCI doesn't require a dedicated circuit, the pump does.

The dedicated circuit will prevent a low amperage condition that could cause damage to your motor. Don't rely on the GFCI, that's not what it does. The GFCI protects you, not the equipment.

Pat · Answer

Yes, run yourself a 12/2 wire to the panel and install on a 20 amp breaker or get a GFCI breaker then you will not need a GFCI receptacle. Or, do not use a GFCI breaker and run the same circuit as stated before and install a GFCI receptacle where your motor will plug in to. (Hint this is the least expensive way to do this) A GFCI receptacle is less expensive then a 20 amp GFCI breaker.
I do know they say 15 amp breaker but not any more money to run 12 wire and 20 amp breaker then a 15 amp breaker. Maybe a few bucks for the wire but the breakers are the same in cost.
You do need a seperate circuit and you do need GFCI protection as well.

sherlyn · Answer

Honey is right about the GFCI receptacle placement. You only need 1 at the beginning of the circuit. If your service panel isn't located in the garage as well, I'd suggest putting in a sub panel. This gets it's power from your main panel, and allows you to have the sub-panel in the garage for easy access. The other thing you need to do before any wiring is run, is to figure out your layout. To start with you need to calculate how many lights, heaters, air pumps, etc. a single circuit can handle. Otherwise you may end up overloading a circuit which would be an obvious problem.

Roadrunnermike · Answer

No,, Dedicated circuit, means, nothing else should be on that circuit, and it should be a GFCI, inside the panel, You could cheat, but it may shut off or not work right or not be safe,

hollifieldrobert · Answer

when it says dedeated circuit that means that should be the only thing on the circuit and seeing it wants one rated at 15 amps the motor is probally drawing 12 amps at start up so i would run the extra cicuit the gfi is to protect you from electric shock in the tub if something where to fail in the pump system

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Do I need to have a separate direct line from the Circuit breaker if I am already using a GFCI outlet?

5 Answers