Code Change Summary: New requirements added to cover pool pump motors that are being repaired.

In the 2020 NEC^®, Section 680.21(D) required GFCI protection if an existing pool pump motor was “replaced for maintenance or repair”. The intent of adding the GFCI protection requirement was to help ensure future pool safety and prevent pool related electrical shock drownings (ESD) by requiring an existing installation that was code compliant without GFCI protection when originally installed to be brought into compliance with the newest safety requirements as a new installation.

In the 2023 NEC^®, the revised language in 680.21(D) goes a step further to cover a potential gray area in the previous text.

The revised 2023 NEC^® language in 680.21(D) makes it clear that if a pool pump motor in 680.21(C) is replaced or repaired, the replacement or repaired pump motor must be provided with ground-fault protection complying with 680.5(B) or (C), as applicable.

A literal reading of the previous language indicated that the GFCI requirements were triggered based on “why” the motor replacement occurred. For the previous GFCI requirements to kick in, the pool pump motor would have to be “replaced for maintenance or repair”. This language would not apply if the motor was replaced because it reached the end of its life, or another reason that was not considered “replaced for maintenance or repair”.

The revised 2023 wording in 680.21(D) clarifies that the requirement applies to any situation that results in a repaired or replaced motor.

Below is a preview of the NEC^®. See the actual NEC^® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2023 NEC^® edition of NFPA 70.