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Ground-fault circuit-interrupter Receptacles. Electrical Shock Protection (Receptacles-Part 2) W. C. “Buster” Hounshell Spring 2002. Ground-fault circuit-interrupter.
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Ground-fault circuit-interrupterReceptacles • Electrical Shock Protection • (Receptacles-Part 2) • W. C. “Buster” Hounshell • Spring 2002
Ground-fault circuit-interrupter • The ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) receptacle protects against electrical shock caused by a faulty appliance, or a worn cord or plug • It senses small changes in current flow and can shut off power in as little as 1/40 of a second.
Ground-fault circuit-interrupter • GFCls are now required in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, crawl spaces, unfinished basements, and outdoor receptacle locations • Consult your local codes for any requirements regarding the installation of GFCI receptacles.
Ground-fault circuit-interrupter • The GFCI receptacle may be wired to protect only itself (single location) • Or it can be wired to protect all receptacles, switches, and light fixtures from the GFCI "forward" to the end of the circuit (multiple locations).
Ground-fault circuit-interrupter • Most GFCls use standard screw terminal connections • Some have wire leads and are attached with wire connectors
Ground-fault circuit-interrupter • Because the body of a GFCI receptacle is larger than a standard receptacle • Small crowded electrical boxes may need to be replaced with more spacious boxes
Ground-fault circuit-interrupter • The more receptacles any one GFCI protects The more susceptible it is to "phantom tripping,“ • Resulting in shutting off power. Due to tiny, normal fluctuations in current flow.
Single Location Protection • A GFCI wired for single-location protection (shown from the back) has hot and neutral wires connected only to the screw terminals marked LINE • A GFCI connected for single-location protection may be wired as either an end-of-run • Or middle-of-run configuration
Multiple -Location Protection • A GFCI wired for multiple-location protection (shown from the back) • Has one set of hot and neutral wires connected to the LINE pair of screw terminals • And the other set connected to the LOAD pair of screw terminals.
Multiple- Location Protection • A GFCI receptacle connected for multiple-location protection may be wired only as a middle-of-run configuration.