GFCI Electrical PROTECTION.

GFCI Electrical GFCI PROTECTION NOT PROVIDED AT EXTERIOR OUTLET(S): 


Even if all circuits and receptacles in your house are properly grounded, it is still possible for you to get a serious, even lethal, shock if you are standing on wet ground or holding a grounded metal pipe while you happen to touch an appliance whose metal housing is "hot" or charged with current because of an internal short. It is true that the fuse or circuit breaker may blow, but in the fraction of a second it takes for this to happen enough current could flow through your body (on its way to the ground) and give you a serious shock. That is why ground fault circuit interrupters GFCI (usually called GFIs) are now required in all exterior outlets, outlets located in bathrooms, kitchens (when the outlet is within 6 feet of the sink), garages, and swimming pool areas, and other places where a person could be standing on a damp surface when using an electrical tool or appliance A GFCI Electrical circuit should always be connected to pool and spa lights and to pool and spa equipment if at all possible GFCI Electrical breakers are special types of breakers which continuously monitor the amount of current flowing in each conducting wire (both hot and neutral). Normally it would be exactly the same, and the GFCI would do nothing. If however, the slightest amount of current leaks out to ground, through the ground wire, or through contact with a person, there will be more current flowing in one wire than the other. When the GFCI circuit breaker senses this, even if the difference is only a few thousandths of an ampere, and if it is not defective, it should immediately shut off all current flow. It does this in a tiny fraction of a second--much faster than would a fuse or circuit breaker, and long before enough current can flow to ground to cause any bodily harm There are actually several different types of ground fault circuit 120 volt light conduit broken at junction box This condition should be considered hazardous   One type is a combination circuit breaker and GFCI which is installed in the service panel in place of a regular circuit breaker--it usually has a small white test button on it. It protects that entire circuit, a safeguard that can be a nuisance when installed in older buildings. It will shut off power to that circuit even when very slight internal leakage occurs, as is "normal" for many older houses that have not been rewired, even though there is no real hazard Another type of GFCI is the receptacle type which is installed in place of the conventional receptacle outlet--it has a reset and a test button placed between the two outlet ports. It protects anything plugged into that particular outlet, and depending on the model, will protect all other outlets which are "downstream" from it, but not those outlets which are between it and the fuse box. This method is common in many modern buildings. Often in single-family residences the "main" GFCI outlet will be found in the garage or bathroom or on an exterior wall Should you suddenly lose power to the GFCI outlets and the circuit breakers seem to be in the "on" position, you may have tripped the GFCI outlet which is first in line from the breaker. Try pressing the reset button on all GFCI outlets in the building to restore power Another type of GFCI is the portable type which merely plugs into an existing three-prong outlet and converts that receptacle to a ground fault protected outlet. Some models also come with extension cords for use around the outside, or in damp locations GFCI protected outlets should be installed even though the inspector may have indicated they were not required when the building was originally wired, and of course, this is merely the inspector's best guess Installation of this safety device is an upgrade which is definitely worth having. GFCI outlets and breakers can be purchased at any Hardware, Home Improvement Store, Lumber Yard, or Electrical Supply Be sure electricity is turned off before attempting any electrical repairs If you are unsure of how to properly install a GFCI outlet, you are advised to contact an Electrical Contractor. If you intend to make the conversions yourself you are strongly advised to purchase and read one of the many handbooks on simple electricity. There are cases where a GFCI system simply will not work. If your building is not grounded--because of its age, etc.,--it is likely you will have further conversions to deal with than merely replacing outlets or breakers Contact the inspector for additional information if you desire. GFCI Electrical
The above information was provided by TWI Systems Copyright 1995-2005 1-800-553-5660

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File last updated February 08, 2012 * Copyright © 2012 All rights reserved by: Accurate Inspections, Inc. A New Jersey home inspection firm 56 Woodland Drive, Woodland Park (formerly West Paterson) NJ 07424 973-812-5100 providing New Jersey Certified Home Inspections in NJ, by New Jersey Licensed home inspectors. Inspector of record Michael Del Greco, New Jersey Home Inspector License GI 0121.

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