Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (or GFCI) are safety devices that have been extremely effective in reducing the total number of home electrocutions by almost 50% in Perth, Australia. Many new homes and business now have these devices installed in locations where water is present in and around the premises.
Before understanding what a GFCI is, let’s first understand what a ground fault is. A ground fault is the unintentional flow of electrical current between the source and the grounded surface. If the electrical installation is not rightly protected, then, any person who comes into contact with an energized part can suffer an electrical shock.
What is a GFCI?
A GFCI is an electrical device designed to protect you from the serious injury that can be caused due to shock by regularly monitoring the flow of electricity in a circuit.
It is an extremely useful electrical safety device that trips the electrical circuits in case it detects any ground fault or any current leakage. So, it is important to install GFCIs in any indoor or outdoor area where you feel that water might come in contact with the electrical installations or fixtures you have on your property.
Where Do GFCIs have to be installed and how to install it?
Preferably, the GFCIs can be installed in:
• Kitchens
• Bathrooms
• Pool areas
• Spas and steam rooms
• Garages
Tools Required
An electrician requires the following things before installing a GFCI electrical outlet:
• Phillips head screwdriver
• Slotted screwdriver
• Wire stripper
• Voltage tester
• Flashlight
The Process of Installation
It is important that these devices must be regularly checked. If you have opted for an electrical maintenance contract, the electricians will ensure that the GFCIs are checked along with all other installations. Electricians will help you to confirm that they are working as they should and that they provide the necessary Residential Electrical Services.
Following process is followed for GFCI installation:
1. Turn off the power
Power should be turned off to the circuit. Over the breaker, place a strip tape with ‘Do not touch’ word written on it. Placing a similar sign on the front of the box is not a bad idea.
2. Remove the Cover Plate
Tester is used to make sure that the power to the outlet is indeed to be turned off. The screw is removed that holds the cover plate and take the plate off. After that outlet is tested again.
3. Identify the Wires
To identify the wires follow consider the following facts
• Pull wires out of the wall box and locate them in such a way that they cannot touch each other.
• Restore power and carefully touch the black probe to the bare copper or metal box ground wire.
• Locate the red probe to each black wire until the tester lights it up. As such, this black wire will connect to the Line brass screw terminal.
• Leave the red probe on the black Line hot wire and place the back probe on each white wire until the tester lights it up. This white wire will connect to the Line silver screw terminal.
• After that, turn the power is turned off.
4. Connect the Wires
The wires are connected by the following procedure:
• Unscrew the terminal screw until they are difficult to turn.
• Join the black Line hot wire to the brass screw marked Line by injecting the wire into the back-wire hole and tighten the terminal screw.
• Connect the white Line neutral wire to the silver screw marked Line by injecting the wire into the back-wire hole and tighten the terminal screw.
• If the outlet box comprises of four wires plus a ground, then connect the second black wire to the brass terminal marked Load and second white wire to the silver terminal marked Load.
• Join the ground wire with the green ground screw by injecting the wire into the black-wire hole and tighten the terminal screw. If there are multiple ground wires, attach them together with a copper pigtail, protect with a wire nut and attach the loose end of the pigtail to the green ground screw.
5. Place the GFCI into the Wall Box
Carefully turn the wires and push the GFCI into the wall box. After that tighten-up the mounting screws to secure the GFCI to the wall box.
6. Cover with wall plate
Install the wall plate and restore the power and then press ‘reset’ button. If the GFCI is not reset, the line and load are reversed during the installation.
7. Call a Local Electrician
If you are not sure about whether you have installed GFCIs outlet correctly, you can call an electrician. They will inspect all the fixtures and inform you if GFCIs have to be installed in rooms or outdoor spaces. Besides, they will also audit the rest of the installations and tell you if any upgrades are required or not.
How to test A GFCI?
You can also test the GFCIs on your property by following the below steps:
• Push the GFCIs ‘reset’ button to organize that outlet for testing.
• Just plug in any standard plug tester or ordinary light into the GFCI and switch it on and after that, the light will come.
• Slow down the GFCIs ‘test’ button. Now, its light goes OFF.
• One more time pushing its ‘reset’ button and the indicator will light up again.
• In case, when you push the button and the light don’t get turned off, there is a possibility that the GFCI is either damaged or that it is not wired properly. This means that it will not be able to provide the shock protection it has been specifically designed for.
To know more about Residential Electrical Services, you can contact Response Fire and Electrical Services. Visit the website for more insights!
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