GFCI PROTECTION
Posted by Nancy Furst
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Joe Gonzales, a TREC Licensed Professional Inspector, is the current president of the Texas Association of Real Estate Inspectors (TAREI), in which he is a Certified Professional Inspector.
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GFCI protection for your house
Do you have GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) devices installed in your home? If so, have you tested your GFCI devices lately? A GFCI is an inexpensive device designed to protect from electrical shocks. Per the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the number of electrical shocks have decreased since GFCIs were introduced in the 1960s.
National Electric Code standards require GFCI protection for all bathroom receptacles, all outdoor receptacles, all garage receptacles, underwater swimming pool/spa lighting, hydromassage tubs, all kitchen countertop receptacles, receptacles within 6’ of wet bar/laundry room/utility room sinks and all receptacle outlets in unfinished basements/crawl spaces. A GFCI works by monitoring electrical flow in a circuit and sensing current loss. Current will flow equally to and from the load. If the current flow is not balanced, the GFCI device is designed to interrupt power quickly before you receive a serious electrical shock.
Circuit Breaker Type GFCI  Portable type GFCIs are an option when using receptacles that are not GFCI protected. An example of a portable type GFCI is an extension cord combined with a GFCI. Portable GFCI’s require no special knowledge or equipment for installation. Portable Type GFCI  If your house predates the use of GFCI devices, you should consider having GFCI devices installed in the appropriate areas for improved safety. Receptacle and circuit breaker type GFCIs can be installed in your home by a qualified electrician. All GFCIs should be tested monthly to ensure they are working properly. To test a GFCI, press the “test” button and the “reset” button should pop out. After testing the GFCI, check the outlet to make sure the power is interrupted (not energized). If the power is interrupted, the GFCI is functioning properly. If the “reset” button pops out when testing but the power is not interrupted (still energized), the device has been wired improperly and an electrician should be contacted. If the “reset” button does not pop out when testing, the GFCI device is faulty and needs to be replaced. Your local Professional Real Estate Inspector (aka “Home Inspector) can be a valuable resource for providing homeowners with information. For a list of Licensed Home Inspectors in the Houston area, or in Texas, visit, TAREI.com and click “Find an Inspector”. nancy@callnancyfurst.com |
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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the HRIS.
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