Do I need a GFCI at a swimming pool pump?

Question

I am relocating an existing pool pump further from the garage, where is it wired from tandem 20amp breakers.  So its a 240V line but with only three wires.  My first question is:  Do I even need GFCI protection on this line because it could be in a wet area ( next to pool pump) ?

Q2:  Is the amperage on this 240V line 20 amps,, or 40 amps?

Q3:  If I use an old disconnect box I have which is labelled for over 20amps, will it cause any problems?

Q4: If I do need GFCI protection here, could I wire the two hot wires, each to one 120V GFCI receptacble, and split the neutral to each GFCI receptacle.  Then wire then back together to the pump?

I apologize if I use improper terminology.  Electrical is my weakest trade.  Please answer as if I am a 12 year old.  Thanks :)

William B · Accepted Answer

YES Yes
20 amp
yes
yes
 if you have no idea of what your doing  get an electrician before you electrocute some one

Armstrong · Answer

if i'm understanding the question correctly it is wired with two separate 20 amp breakers? if that is the case then each of the two 110 circuits is 20 amps and combined it is protected by 2-20 amp breakers so no there wouldn't be a 40amp circuit.  you wouldn't be able to draw more then 20amps off each circuit. I'm not sure what code is for pools and your area but I would play it safe and stick with the GFCI receptacles. 

again if i'm misunderstanding the situation i apologizeise lol,  but i would use the 2-wire with ground (total of 3-wires, should be black, white, and a bare wire for ground) and just wire it in to one 20amp breaker. run this out to the pool and put in your GFCI recepticle.  i'm assuming the pump is 120v ac.

so first question is yeah I woud stick with the GFCI protection

second sounds like 2-20amp circuits, not 40

as long as the disconnect is in proper working order i would use it but if it doesn't look safe go pick one up, they aren't that expensive. make sure the breakers are working correctly

and the last I wouldnt wire it that way i would do it like i described earlier but I couldn't see how it would hurt anything as long as its done right. I'm sure an electrician would deffinitly say otherwise though lol.  

this answer probably sounds mangled, if noone else gives you a better answer you can msg me on here and i can maybe talk you through it better in an actually convesation. I'm not an electrician but i am a hvac tech and been working on houses for a long time.  if you aren't sure try having someone come out and check it to make sure it's safe, you wouldnt want to cuase a short or other damage. either way best of luck!!

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Do I need a GFCI at a swimming pool pump?

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