A ground-fault circuit interrupter GFCI is a special type of outlet that detects imbalances in the electrical current and shuts off power to that outlet to prevent damage and diminish the risk of shock. A ground fault is a conducting connection between a conductor of electricity and any material that is grounded or may become grounded.
As in a person. If water gets into a plugged in device or splashes against the outlet, the GFCI will quickly shut off that outlet, stopping the ground fault and preventing an electrical shock. GFCI outlets are something that should be installed in multiple areas of your home for your own protection. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at Schedule Service Now Call Us When the screws are removed, the outlet will hang freely—the only things holding it are the attached wires.
Remove the three attached wires, which are held in place with Phillips screws. Note the color of the screws and the color of the wires. Attach the new GFCI outlet in the same way you disconnected the old outlet, making sure the wires attach to the screws using the above color-coded method. The GFCI outlet will also have two additional screws on the bottom sides, and these screws will be covered by a piece of tape.
Leave the tape in place—these screws are for use by an electrician who is replacing an outlet in an advanced wiring situation. Position the new GFCI outlet cover over the outlet and attach it with flat screws. A new outlet cover is necessary because the cover of a standard outlet will not fit a GFCI outlet. The nightlight should go off, which tells you that the GFCI outlet is working as intended.
When this happens, just press the Reset button to restore electricity. If a GFCI trips frequently when not in use daily or weekly , the outlet itself could be worn out or faulty and should be replaced. Disclosure: BobVila.
You agree that BobVila. All rights reserved. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. So, if you are using a hair dryer for instance and it slips into a sink that is filled with water, the GFCI outlet will immediately sense the interruption and cut the power to ensure electrical safety in the bathroom and beyond. GFCI outlets are important, especially when the electrical outlets are positioned close to water.
Installing GFCI outlets in your kitchen, bathrooms, laundry rooms, pool house etc. Apart from being an essential preventive measure, the law also requires you to have GFCI outlets installed throughout your home. Initially, it was only required for you to install GFCI outlets near water but this requirement has been extended to cover all single phase outlets of volts in recent years.
GFCI outlets should also be installed on temporary wiring systems during construction, renovation or maintenance of structures that are using power temporarily. The ground fault circuit interrupter is essentially designed to avert ground faults by immediately disrupting the flow of current from the outlet.
This is why periodic testing is very important to ensure that the GFCI outlet is functional at all times. If the GFCI outlet is tripping often, it probably needs further investigation by a certified electrician as it could also be a result of worn out insulation, accumulated dust, or deteriorated wiring.
It is recommended that GFCI outlet should be tested every month and replaced every decade. 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.
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