Mar 2, 2010
Classification Of GFCI
Modernization has made each one of us fully relied upon the electrical appliances. This dependency has made some of us very careless towards handling the electricity. Well, GFCI is the only solution to prevent the day to day electric injuries like electrocutions, fire and the electric shock. If the current flowing through the circuit differs by small amount of the current that is returning to the circuit, GFCI switches off the power to that circuit.
National Electric Code has passed a law to install the GFCI at every homes for the safety. GFCI has gained a lot of popularity overtime. Because in previous times, these were used only at outlets near water. Today, we find them at all the places like bathroom, kitchen, basement, garage, and outdoor circuits.
Furthermore, today’s market posses three types of GFCI outlets that is receptacle type, circuit breaker type and the portable type.
Receptacle type outlets are special plug- in type GFCI outlets that resemble an ordinary electric outlet. The electronic gadgets or the electrical appliances that are plugged into these GFCI are protected against fault ground. The front panel of the receptacle type GFCI has two buttons for test and the reset purposes. Pressing the test button allow the GFCI to trip and turn off the power to the protected device.
Instead of having multiple receptacle GFCI outlets, people install single circuit breaker type GFCI at the main panel of the house. Also, these perform the dual function. Firstly, they prevent the appliances from blowing off by shutting down the power. Next, the save the appliances in an event of short circuit or overload conditions. These are installed at the main circuit board of the home.
Lastly, the portable type GFCI outlets. As the name suggest, these are not fixed in the wall or the panel box. Rather, these are enclosed in the plastic case. The back side contain plug in blades so as to fit in any of the electric outlet. Whereas the front side of it consists of receptacle slots so s to fit in the device in the GFCI.
Another type of the portable GFCI is simply an extension cord combined with a GFCI. These are similar to the adapters. These are quite flexible and are used in large places.
As electricity is not a place to experiment, call in an expert to install these at your place. Also, take care that you carefully check the working of the GFCI once in six months.
Scott Rodgers is an author with great electrical experience all over the country. His stupendous guidance has created business for a lot of Glen Ellyn Electricians and Hoffman Estates Electricians .