How To Use A Gfci Outlet

A gfci outlet installation does not protect equipment from power surges.

How to use a gfci outlet. Position the new gfci outlet cover over the outlet and attach it with flat screws. Place a note at the electrical panel to warn others not to turn it on while you are working on this project. A ground fault circuit interrupter is a protective device specifically designed to break the circuit every time there is an imbalance between incoming and outgoing current. Before the widespread adoption of gfci ground fault circuit interrupter outlets around 800 people died annually in the united states.

Another way to test a gfci outlet is to use a gfci outlet tester. Don t use a gfci outlet as a receptacle for a refrigerator or a freezer as it could trip without your knowledge. Single location protection offers gfci protection only at one receptacle. The gfci outlet protects electrical wiring and receptacles from overheating and possible fire greatly minimizing the risk of shock injuries and fatal burns.

Gfci receptacles are generally used instead of a standard outlet receptacle to offer protection to a single outlet location. There are multiple types of gfcis like gfci outlet gfci combo switch and outlet gfci circuit breaker and portable gfci. Most building codes now require that a gfci outlet be used in wet locations such as bathrooms kitchens laundry rooms and outdoors. Fasten the new gfci outlet to the outlet box with phillips screws use the same holes.

Gfci devices are especially useful for cord connected appliances and equipment used outdoors or near water. This is a simple electrical device that has three led lights to indicate various test results. Nickel electric fish at. The easiest way to upgrade an ungrounded 120v receptacle to get ground protection is to replace it with a gfci outlet.

2 turn off the power turn off power at the circuit breaker or fuse. The tester can tell you whether the outlet is wired correctly and can also identify several wiring problems including open ground reversed polarity an open hot or neutral and a reversed hot and ground. However gfci receptacles can be wired in two different ways to offer two different levels of protection. A gfci ground fault circuit interrupter outlet is a device that adds a greater level of safety by reducing the risk of electric shock.

Afci protection for kitchen and laundry areas. Now thanks largely to the proliferation of gfci technologies particularly in areas near water such as bathroom sinks or in places exposed to rain or standing water that number has dropped to around 200 deaths per year sources. Use a voltage tester.