Tag archive: GFCI
GFCI Maintenance | Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter Testing
GFCI maintenance is a very simple and extremely important procedure. Just like many other house maintenance tasks, maintaining functional and properly operating GFCI outlet receptacles will ensure that you and your family are protected from a ground fault.
Ground Fault – it’s when the electricity, instead of following its normal path – electrical wire – passes through a person’s body to the ground. That person becomes a conductor (wire) and you may know this condition as an electrical shock.
* Never paint GFCI outlet receptacle! If you’ve just moved into the house and installed GFCI’s are covered with paint – replace them immediately. Removing paint from their surface is not enough, even if Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter appears to be responding to the test buttons.
* Never insert into an outlet receptacle objects other than a plug designed for its configuration.
* Avoid spilling liquids onto the device – it could result in permanent damage or malfunctioning.
Testing is the most important part of the GFCI maintenance routine and it should be performed on monthly basis. The reason is very simple – Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter outlet receptacles are just like any other electronic devices – sometimes they fail.
GFCI Outlet Installation / How To in 4 Easy Steps
Install GFCI by following this 4-step GFCI outlet installation guide
I didn’t prepare this GFCI outlet installation guide in 4 easy steps for conditions where everything is perfect and nothing can go wrong. That’s why it is a little longer than others.
GFCI – (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter)
So don’t start installing GFCI without reading description of items 1-4, it’s extremely important for your safety. Good luck on your GFCI outlet installation project!
1. Disconnect power supply to the electrical outlet you are planning to remove and install GFCI receptacle in its place. The safest method is to turn off the main breaker in [...]
GFCI Types, GFCI Testing and Hazardous Installations
GFCI types and GFCI testing
There are basically three GFCI types available on the market and GFCI testing should be routinely performed on all of them for at least one reason – they contain mechanical parts which can and do fail :
GFCI receptacles
GFCI portable devices
GFCI breakers
Each one of them provides the same type of service / protection – it saves lives by limiting duration of an electrical shock.
GFCI receptacle is the most popular device and it has been in service since early 1970′s. It looks almost like a regular electrical outlet, with two small buttons located usually in the center. The buttons are [...]
Kitchen GFCI Receptacle and Other Electrical Requirements
Kitchen GFCI receptacle
Kitchen GFCI receptacles are required by the 2008 NEC (National Electrical Code) to be installed along the countertop surfaces.
GFCI – (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter)
Actually, this requirement has been in place since 1996 NEC, and an important thing to remember:
If you have an older kitchen, and for any reason decided to replace a regular electrical outlet – you should have a GFCI receptacle installed as a replacement.
Kitchen Electrical Requirements
Kitchen electrical outlets installed above the countertops require at least 2 small appliance branch circuits.
Kitchen electrical circuits serving countertop outlets must be rated for 20 ampers (#12 wire)
Kitchen GFCI receptacles installed [...]
Unfinished Basement GFCI Receptacles
Unfinished Basement GFCI Receptacles
Unfinished basement GFCI receptacles installation or GFCI protection for a regular type outlet receptacles installed in an unfinished basement is required by the 2008 NEC (National Electrical Code).
GFCI – (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter)
Unfinished basement it’s an area or portion of the basement area that is not intended to be used as a habitable room.
Habitable room it’s a space arranged for living, eating or sleeping purposes (must conform to local building codes to be listed as such), but does not include bathroom / toilet rooms, laundries, pantries, foyers or hallways.
If you have a sump pump installed in an unfinished [...]
Crawlspace GFCI, At or Below Grade Level
Crawlspace GFCI installed at or below the grade level
GFCI – (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter)
Crawlspace GFCI protection for receptacles has changed slightly in 2008 NEC (National Electrical Code). 2005 NEC exception that allowed single receptacles for not easily moved appliances to be excluded from GFCI requirement has been removed.
Because of the moisture, flooding, drainage problems , crawlspace GFCI protection absolutely makes sense in such application. The only device that homeowners would probably prefer without GFCI protection is a sump pump, which used to be a part of that 2005 exception.
If you’re concerned about your crawlspace flooding, the solution would be to install [...]
House Exterior GFCI Receptacles
Exterior GFCI Receptacles
The 2008 NEC did not change house exterior GFCI receptacles requirement protection since the previous edition.
All outdoor house receptacles must be GFCI protected.
GFCI – (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter)
There is one exception from this exterior GFCI receptacles requirement:
If you have electrical outlets that are not readily accessible (you can’t reach them standing on the ground without using ladders, or any other equipment) and they are supplied by a branch circuit dedicated for snow / ice melting equipment (there’s nothing else on this circuit), exterior GFCI protection is not required.
However, that snow / ice melting equipment must be permanently attached; [...]
Bathroom GFCI Receptacles and Electrical Components
Bathroom GFCI receptacle protection is required by the NEC (National Electrical Code), and of course by the common sense – why would you risk getting electrocuted if you can secure your safety by installing GFCI outlet.
Since some bathrooms are currently equipped with many electrical current hungry devices, power supply requirements had to be slightly adjusted. We used to have a bathroom sharing an electrical circuit with exterior outlets, the kitchen, and a garage – not anymore.
Of course, the minimum requirement listed below is not going to work if you add a steam shower, heated electric floor, hydro-spa heater, several light [...]
GFCI Outlet Purpose and GFCI Location History
The simplest explanation of the GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) Receptacle Purpose would be: GFCI devices save lives by limiting the duration of electrical shocks. Learn How to Install GFCI Receptacle The real life scenario: Let’s say that you’re using a metal knife or fork to pull out your breakfast from the toaster which is…