Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (gfcis) Are A Very Important Safety Device In The Home

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (gfcis) Are A Very Important Safety Device In The Home

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Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIS) are a very important safety device in the home. There are approximately three hundred deaths caused by electric shock every year in the United States. As a result GFCI receptacles have been adopted in new homes, and are recommended as an important safety upgrade in older houses as a means to reduce the chance of injury or death from an electric shock. GFCIs are electrical receptacles and other devises designed to prevent injury or death from electrical shock by detecting ground faults. If a GFCI receptacle/outlet detects even a tiny current leak in an electrical appliance or device, the GFCI assumes a ground fault is taking place. The receptacle then trips or interrupts the electrical power fast enough in most cases to prevent injury from electric shock.

GFCI receptacles have been in use in buildings since the early 1970s (most for exterior applications). Design improvements in both receptacle/outlets and GFCI circuit breakers has greatly improved their reliability, while reducing instances nuisance-tripping or non-fault tripping.

In the 1980s kitchens and basements were included on the list of areas that were now required to have GFCI receptacles installed. More recent GFCI requirements during the mid 1990s added crawlspaces, wet bars and rooftops to the areas where GFCIs are required to be installed. Also in 1996 GFCI receptacles were made a requirement for all temporary electrical wiring for construction, remodeling, and maintenance, repair of homes an buildings.

A GFCI is a relatively simple device but is very effective at reducing the probability of electric shock. In the homes electrical system the GFCI constantly monitors electricity flowing in an electric circuit. The GFCI detects any current loss in the circuit. If the electricity moving through the electrical circuit is slightly different from the returning electrical current the GFCI electrical receptacle will very quickly trip too turn off power to the electrical receptacle. The GFCI receptacle trips at a very fast rate at fractions of a second when the tiny discrepancy is measured. In most instances the receptacle/outlet will trip fast enough to help keep the individual from receiving a dangerous electrical shock. The person still will experience an electric shock but an installed GFCI should reduce the electric shock to a point where significant injury should not occur. Of course there is nothing that is full proof but having a GFCI is a much better option then not having one.

There are several types of GFCIs available in the market today. There are electrical receptacles as described above which can be installed in traditional electrical receptacle boxes. These types of receptacles/outlets if wired correctly can also supply protection to the receptacles down stream in the individual circuit. One GFCI can protect a series of receptacles.

There are GCFI circuit breakers that can be installed in the interior of the electrical panel box that can protect that individual electrical circuit. These GFCI breakers serve two purposes: one is to turn off power in the event of a ground fault and the other is to trip when an over-current condition develops that can burn the wires and cause a fire.

There are portable GFCIs that can be used in certain applications. Often this type of GFCI protection can be installed at the end of an extension cord. This is particularly useful when a service person is working in wet or damp areas and does not have a readily available GFCI receptacle. These also are packaged without the extension cord and plug into the standard three prong receptacle directly.

GFCI receptacles should be installed for most outdoor receptacles, bathrooms, garage receptacles, kitchen receptacles, laundry areas, and all receptacles in crawl spaces and unfinished basements.

All Somerset County home inspectors and home inspectors throughout NJ are required to test GFCI receptacles in the home they are inspecting. The home inspector in Somerset County and home inspectors throughout New Jersey will also recommend that GFCI receptacles be installed if they are not present in important areas.

After the home inspection all household GFCIs should be tested monthly to make sure they are operating properly. The most effective method to test them is to buy an inexpensive GFCI circuit tester that can be found at almost any hardware store for approximately twelve to fourteen dollars. The outlet tester will have three prongs and have a push button to trip the receptacle. If you test the receptacle and it does not trip then immediate replacement is required. If the GFCI is operating as it should it will trip when the button on the tester is pressed. The GFCI should reset by pushing the reset button which is located on the front center of the receptacle.

GFCIs have made household electrical circuits safer by implementing an element of safety. They are not fool proof but they have certainly raised the bar in electrical safety. If your home does not have GFCI receptacles or circuit breakers installed you may want to seriously consider upgrading the receptacles in order to help keep your family safe. Make sure your home inspector tests the GFCIs in the home you are purchasing so you will know if these important electrical safety devises are operating effectively.

About the Author:
Author John Martino, Home Inspector NJ describes here importance of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters and it's inspection in the home. All Home Inspectors of Somerset County are required to test GFCI receptacles in the Home Inspection Somerset County and throughout New Jersey.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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