Is a GFCI circuit breaker Needed for Outdoor Motion Sensor/Photocell Floodlight?

[jeff mattison]

Hi Everyone

Is a GFCI circuit breaker required for an Outdoor Floodlight which is activated by a motion sensor/photocell?

From past experience, GFCI circuit breakers have constantly tripped when used with a motion sensor/photocell activated floodlight.

Thanks,

Jeff

[Greg]

no

[Mortimer Schnerd, RN]

Think about it: if the light developed a short, would anybody be shocked by it? The GFCI circuit breaker (or GFCI outlets for that matter) are designed to protect *people* using them.... in other words, outlets that have may have access to water. The usual places are garage, outside outlets, kitchens and bathrooms. Think toasters in the sink, hair dryers in the bathtub.... that sort of thing.

The short answer: no. Not required or even desirable. Besides, the breakers are expensive.

[Chris Lewis]

Yeah, but is the outdoor floodlight connected to an outlet? Are other outdoor outlets connected to the same circuit? _They_ have to be protected with GFCI, which means that the circuit that the floodlight is on needs GFCI, not the floodlight.