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Print - Email: Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (Gfcis)

GFCIs help prevent electrocution by sensing differences in electricity flowing into and out of a circuit. If it senses 4-5 milliamps of current leakage, such as through a person's body, it cuts power in less than 1/10 of a second. There are receptacle, circuit breaker, and temporary plug-in types. GFCIs should be tested monthly by pressing the test button, which should trip the circuit, and reset to reestablish protection. They are recommended where appliances are used near water to prevent shock from ground faults.

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Syed Zuber Ahmed
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56 views

Print - Email: Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (Gfcis)

GFCIs help prevent electrocution by sensing differences in electricity flowing into and out of a circuit. If it senses 4-5 milliamps of current leakage, such as through a person's body, it cuts power in less than 1/10 of a second. There are receptacle, circuit breaker, and temporary plug-in types. GFCIs should be tested monthly by pressing the test button, which should trip the circuit, and reset to reestablish protection. They are recommended where appliances are used near water to prevent shock from ground faults.

Uploaded by

Syed Zuber Ahmed
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Ground-Fault Circuit

Interrupters (GFCIs):

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Prevention from Shock Hazards

What is a GFCI

A ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) can help prevent electrocution. If


a persons body starts to receive a shock, the GFCI senses this and cuts off the power before
he/she can get injured.
GFCIs are generally installed where electrical circuits may accidentally come into contact with
water. They are most often found in kitchens, bath and laundry rooms, or even out-of-doors or
in the garage where electric power tools might be used.
What is a ground fault?
According to the National Electrical Code, a ground fault is a conducting connection
(whether intentional or accidental) between any electric conductor and any
conductingmaterial that is grounded or that may become grounded. Electricity always wants
to find a path to the ground. Ina ground fault, electricity has found a path to ground, but it is a
path the electricity was never
intended to be on, such as through a persons body.
Because of this potential for shock, GFCI protection is used to protect human life. Circuit
breakers and fuses only protect equipmentthey will not protect people.
How does a GFCI work?
In a normal 120-volt outlet in the United States, there are two vertical slots and a round hole
between them. The longer slot is called neutral, while the shorter slot is hot. The hole
between is called ground. The GFCI will sense the difference in the amount of electricity
flowing into the circuit to that flowing out, even in amountsof current as small as 4 or 5
milliamps. The GFCI reacts quickly (less than one-tenth of a second) to trip or shut off the
circuit.
What are the types of GFCIs?
There are three types of GFCIs. The most often used receptacle-type GFCI, similar to a
common wall outlet, is the type with which most consumers are familiar. Additionally, circuit
breaker GFCIs are often used as replacements for standard circuit breakers and provide
GFCI protection to all receptacles on that individual circuit. Temporary or plug-in GFCIs are
frequently used in construction and in outdoor settings with electric tools, mowers, trimmers,

and similar devices. They should not be used as a permanent alternative to a regular GFCI.
Temporary GFCIs should be tested prior to every use.

How should GFCIs be tested?


Many consumers dont check their GFCIs to verify they are working. GFCIs are electronic
devices that can be damaged or wear out. The electrical receptacle in a GFCI may continue
to function, even if the GFCI circuit no longer works. If this is the case, have a qualified
electrician replace as soon as possible.
GFCIs should be tested monthly to ensure they are in working condition. Whether you have a
receptacle or circuit breaker GFCI, pushing the TEST button should turn off the power to the
circuit. For the receptacle-type GFCI, pushing the TEST button should cause the RESET
button to pop up. (Remember to push the RESET button to reestablish power and protection.)
For the circuit breaker-type GFCI, pushing the TEST button should cause the handle to move
to the tripped position. (Remember to reset the handle to reestablish power and protection.)
When should you test GFCIs?
GFCIs must be checked monthly to determine that they are operating properly. A portable
GFCI should be used out-of-doors with various electrical power tools (i.e., drills, mowers,
trimmers) and should be tested before each use!
Where should GFCIs be used?

It is recommended that GFCIs be installed in areas where appliances and power tools
are used in close proximity to water. Tap water or wet objects are able to conduct
electricity very easily and can connect your body to a ground potential, thus increasing
your chances of receiving a shock from a ground fault. Appliances that have built-in
GFCI protection, as now required for hair dryers, may not need additional GFCI
protection, but there are still many appliances not equipped with GFCI protection.
What is nuisance tripping of a GFCI?
It takes only 5 mA (0.005 A) of current leakage from the hot wire to the ground to cause a
GFCI to trip. 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 100 feet long. To avoid
nuisance tripping, a GFCI should not supply:
Circuits longer than 100 feet
Fluorescent or other types of electric-discharge lighting fixtures
Permanently installed electric motors
Installing a GFCI to prevent electrical shock from electrical equipment seems like a good idea,
but nuisance tripping may become a serious problem. The installer must carefully consider
the effects of loss of power to a circuit before installing GFCI protection, such as circuits with
refrigerators, freezers, garage door openers, etc. The most effective shock prevention system
for electrical equipment and circuits is a good equipment grounding conductor run with the
circuit wires and connected to all metal equipment.
How does a GFCI differ from an AFCI?
Arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) are a recently developed electrical safety device for
homes to provide enhanced protection from fires resulting from unsafe home wiring
conditions.
AFCIs should not be confused with ground-fault circuit interrupters or GFCIs. While both
AFCIs and GFCIs are important safety devices, they have different functions. AFCIs are
intended to address fire hazards; GFCIs address shock hazards.

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