It is always recommended to work with a certified electrician who can ensure that your system is in compliance with relevant codes so your home remains guarded against electric fires. In most states, building codes now require GFCI plugs to be installed in the wet areas of homes such as laundry rooms, baths, kitchens, garages, and other places that may be prone to electrical shocks caused by moisture.
So, check your home to see if it has any GFCI outlets installed. Ensure that the wires do not touch each other and then turn the switch on. The line set carries the incoming power and the load set distributes the power among additional outlets while also providing shock protection.
Connect the power wire black to the line set and the white wire to the load set on the GFCI outlet. Secure the connections using a wire nut and wrap them using electrical to tape for extra safety. Now connect the ground wire to the green screw on the GFCI plug.
Apart from the peace of mind that you and your family are protected against electrocutions, installing GFCI outlets will help you:. Electrical shocks and electrocution are the major risks that you can be exposed to through electrical devices at your home.
This becomes a bigger concern if you have kids who can unknowingly touch the appliances and get a shock. A GFCI outlet helps in preventing shocks and electrocutions as it has a built-in sensor that monitors the inflow and outflow of the electricity from any appliance. If a live wire inside the appliance comes in contact with the metallic surface of the appliance, you will get a shock when you touch it. However, if you plug the appliance into the GFCI outlet, then it will notice if there is any change in the electrical flow which may occur due to a loose wire and it will instantly shut down the power.
They will be heavier on your pockets as compared to regular outlets, but the safety advantage will definitely outweigh the cost disadvantage in the long run. Avert Fatal Electrical Fires One of the main functions of a GFCI outlet is to detect the ground faults, which occur when the flow of electrical current leave a circuit. They are responsible for causing electrical fires. When you install GFCI outlets, you are effectively preventing electrical fires from occurring.
You might argue that electrical fuses also provide basic protection against electrical fires, however, when you combine them with GFCI outlets, the chances of electrical fires erupting and harming you and your loved ones will almost reduce to zero. Avoid Damage to Appliances There is a good chance that the insulation of an appliance will break over time. If not a break, there will certainly be a few cracks in the insulation.
Some amount of electric current starts to leak through these cracks into the appliances and other electronic items. If it has a metal body, then you will experience electric shocks as well. So, you need to consider the wall box, because the available space might affect your choice.
Standard-size boxes are not large enough to permit a safe GFCI receptacle installation. This is why going for a GFCI circuit breaker might be your only option. When having to make a decision, you should consider the aspect of cost as well.
Clearly, if money is an issue, then you should consider a GFCI outlet. This could work out well if really all you need to protect is one location only. Local electrical codes may have particular requirements that differ from the national code, which is the NEC. These requirements are certainly a factor that impacts your decision when choosing between a GFCI breaker and an outlet.
The local electrical code contains specific rules for your area, so be sure to consult your local building code department. Here are some of the requirements you should be well aware of:. It is true that resetting a receptacle is much more convenient than resetting the breaker, as in this case you need to go all the way to the service panel to do it. However, if you require multiple-protection from a single GFCI receptacle, remember that this receptacle controls everything downstream. So, if wiring issues should appear, you will need to backtrack to locate the GFCI receptacle to reset it.
State State CA. Project Details. If you are a homeowner or business owner within a 20 mile radius of Redondo Beach and are looking for the best electrical contractor in the South Bay, then call Penna Electric.
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If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. It takes only 5 mA 0. A small amount of leakage current may be difficult to avoid in some normal circuits.
Hand-held power tools do not cause a tripping problem if the tool is maintained in good condition. Some stationary motors, such as a bathroom vent fan or fluorescent lighting fixtures, may produce enough leakage to cause nuisance tripping. Another problem may be a long circuit with many splices. If possible, keep GFCI circuits less than feet long. To avoid nuisance tripping, a GFCI should not supply:. Arc fault circuit interrupters AFCIs are safety devices for homes that provide enhanced protection from fires caused by unsafe home wiring conditions.
What is a ground fault? Because of this potential for shock, GFCI protection is used to protect human life. How does a GFCI work? What are the types of GFCIs?
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