When do you need a GFCI breaker?

Answer 1

Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz supply service.GFCI receptacles are required by the US National Electrical Code in locations where water and electricity are likely to come into contact, such as in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoors.

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For dwellings (places where people live) the exact places GFCI protection is required are listed in Article 210.8 of the US National Electrical Code 2008:

(1) bathrooms

(2) garages

(3) outdoors

(4) crawl spaces

(5) unfinished basements

(6) kitchens

(7) laundry, utility, and wet bar sinks

(8) boathouses

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As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.

IF YOU'RE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB

SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY

REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

If you do this work yourself, always turn off the powerat the breaker box/fuse panel BEFORE you attempt to do any work AND always use a meter or voltage indicator to insure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.

Answer 2

A GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) breaker is required in areas where there is potential for water to come into contact with electrical outlets, such as kitchens, bathrooms, outdoor outlets, garages, and unfinished basements. GFCI breakers are designed to quickly disconnect power in the event of a ground fault, reducing the risk of electric shock.

Answer 3

GFCI is a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter The GFCI outlet compares the electricity flowing on the hot wire and the neutral wire. If there is a difference in the two it trips. The GFCI can detect very small differences in between the neutral and hot wire.

GFCI outlets should be used in bathrooms, garages, basement, outdoor outlets, counter top outlets, kitchen outlets,

GFCI protection is also required in pools, spas, and hot tubs.

Answer 4

A GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlet is connected to a special electronic circuit breaker that compares the electrical current going OUT, across one of the wires to the amount of current coming back, across the OTHER wire. (that's the hot/neutral pair) That special electronic circuit breaker is called a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, or GFCI for short.

If at any point the current across the two wires does not match, the breaker will shut off the current to the outlet. The assumption is, (and it's a valid assumption) that if the current out does not match the current in, then electrical current is draining TO GROUND through something else... that something else might just be you. In other words, there is a ground "fault"

While a GFCI outlet is a good idea, unfortunately many people take unnecessary chances under the assumption that the GFCI will protect them. But remember, electronic circuits do occasionally fail.

Answer 5

GFCI stands for 'ground fault current interruptor'. These are used near Plumbing in houses and on exterior electrical outlets and can be built into extension cords and appliances such as hair dryers. The GFCI breaks the circuit if ~20 milliamps returns through ground instead of the neutral. (A standard two-prong plug has a hot and a neutral.) If the current returns through ground, that is a ground fault and you are usually providing the path. Any current through you higher than about 30 ma is likely to cause your heart to go into ventricular fibrillation and the result is your death. The fuse or circuit breaker in the circuit is protecting the wiring, the GFCI protects you.

Answer 6

Bathrooms, kitchens, garage and outside outlets are typically put on a GFI type breaker. Some electricians use a central GFI breaker that is inside the breaker panel, others use a GFI outlet at one location then "daisy-chain" several outlets to that circuit. Either is acceptable.

Answer 7

A "GFI" should be used anywhere that a person may become "grounded".

In typical 120/240 AC house wiring, the "center tap" of the supply transformer is grounded or at least runs close to zero potential to ground.

That means that both of the "hot legs" of the 220 line have approximately 120 Volt potential to ground, and the available amperage is quite high relative to human tolerances.

If a person touches one of the "hot legs" of the circuit and is grounded at the same time, the potential for fatal electrocution becomes quite high.

A person can be grouned anywhere around plumbing. Pipes are typically a good source for grounding. A person can be grounded when on concrete floors or anywhere outdoors. While wood and carpeted floors tend to be more of an insulation, they too can become an effective ground under certain conditions, such as if they become wet.

In general, building codes require that electrical circuits implement a GFCI when the circuit will be used:

• Outside
• In a bathroom that is near a tub or sink.
• In a kitchen where the outlet is near a sink or other grounded device.
• In a garage.

Answer 8

Ground Fault Circuit Interupter is used where the electric circuit needs to be instantly interrupted...like in the bathroom where an appliance might fall in the water, or an exterior outlet that might get wet in the rain...to prevent electric shock.

Answer 9

One can find a GFI outlet wherever in a household you can find an outlet. Sometimes, there is a GFI circuit breaker that can control multiple outlets.