GFCI protection can be provided either at the outlet by the now familiar outlet with the test and reset buttons, or at the distribution panel by way of a GFCI circuit breaker, which protects all outlets on the circuit it controls.
Additional outlets can be protected downstream of the local outlet type with push buttons by wiring the added outlets to the LOAD side of the local GFCI device. Outlets with only two slots and no third hole indicate the presence of older wiring that should only be replaced by a licensed electrician.
The other caveat is that only outlets connected to three wires are suitable for DIY replacement. Outlets with three attached wires remove the outlet plate to determine the number of attached wires indicate that the outlet is located at the end of an electrical circuit a wiring loop that starts and finishes at the breaker panel. An outlet with five attached wires is located in the middle of an electric circuit, and the wiring process is more complicated—only a licensed electrician should replace those outlets.
Replacing an existing outlet at the end of a circuit as explained above is not particularly difficult, but the task requires some experience. You should understand how outlets are wired and how electrical current travels from the breaker panel through each electrical circuit wiring loop in your home. Some communities prohibit homeowners from doing their own wiring, so check with your local building authority before you start. Shut off the power to the outlet by turning off the circuit breaker at the breaker panel that provides electricity to the outlet.
A good way to ensure that the power is off is to plug a nightlight into the outlet and turn it on, then shut off the breaker. Remove the outlet cover with a flat screwdriver. Remove the old outlet from the outlet box using a Phillips screwdriver. A ground fault is an instance in which the hot wire touches any area of a grounded device or even the grounded part of a junction box.
It can happen in situations when wiring insulation is damaged, perhaps to the mischievous teeth of rodents, or even due to wiring age, or, very commonly, environmental conditions [source: Littelfuse ]. Moisture and dampness are two of the biggest causes of ground faults, and the consequences can be life-altering. For example, let's say you are outside with your power drill and it is raining. You are standing on the ground, and since the drill is wet there is a path from the hot wire inside the drill through you to the ground.
If electricity flows from hot to ground through you, the result is a ground fault, and it could be fatal. The GFCI can sense the current flowing through you because not all of the current is flowing from hot to neutral as it expects -- some of it is flowing through you to the ground.
As soon as the GFCI senses this "leakage" of power, it trips the circuit and cuts off the electricity. On a final note, understand that GFCI outlets always eventually wear out, so you should test them about once per month [source: McGarry and Madsen ].
To test the outlet, press the Reset button, and then plug in a simple night light or other electrical device. The device should turn on. Then press the Test button. If the GFCI is working, the power will immediately be cut. Press Reset again, and your device should turn on again. If so, the outlet is working as it should. If the light doesn't turn off when you press Test, you have a problem.
You can follow these simple steps to test if the circuit interrupter is working properly:. 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.
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