Tag archive: national electrical code
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 Safety Issue | GFCI Receptacle With no Smart Lock
GFCI outlet safety / GFCI without Smart Lock
I’ve been running into this particular GFCI outlet safety issue quite often lately, and since it can easily stay undetected creating serious safety hazard, I’ll explain it for you.
This GFCI outlet safety problem applies to older receptacles, manufactured before 2003 – the year when “Smart Lock” type GFCI receptacle has been introduced by Leviton. GFCI receptacles equipped with the “Smart Lock” feature include a small padlock sign on the face of the device.
So, if you have any GFCI outlet receptacles without the “Smart Lock” logo, make sure that you test them properly / [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Garage GFCI Receptacles and GFCI in Accessory Buildings
Garage GFCI receptacles / accessory building GFCI
Exceptions for the garage GFCI receptacles and GFCI’s in accessory buildings have been removed by the 2008 NEC (National Electrical Code). The new rules apply to the structures that have a floor located at or below grade level, are not intended for use as habitable rooms and limited to storage areas, work areas, and areas of similar use.
GFCI – (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter)
Always remember about GFCI maintenance and testing – those devices are worthless piece of equipment, unless they are operating properly!
Accessory building GFCI
There’s no more GFCI unprotected receptacles permitted in accessory buildings. If [...]
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 Locations in Residential Buildings based on 2008 NEC
From this post you can follow links to all GFCI locations in residential buildings based on 2008 NEC – at the bottom section. GFCI – (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) Before installing GFCI receptacles or replacing a regular outlet receptacle, always check with your local code enforcement division, there may be some additional regulations applied, sometimes…