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Ground
Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)
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THE GFCI
A "GFCI" is a ground fault circuit
interrupter. A ground fault circuit interrrupter
is an inexpensive electrical device that, if
installed in household branch circuits, could
prevent over two-thirds of the approximately 300
electrocutions still occurring each year in and
around the home. Installation of the device could
also prevent thousands of burn and electric shock
injuries each year.
The GFCI is designed to protect people from severe
or fatal electric shocks Because a GFCI detects
ground faults, it can also prevent some electrical
fires and reduce the severity of others by
interrupting the flow of electric current.
THE PROBLEM
Have you ever experienced an electric shock?
If you did, the shock probably happened because
your hand or some other part of your body
contacted a source of electrical current and your
body provided a path for the electrical current to
go to the ground, so that you received a shock.
An unintentional electric path between a source of
current and a grounded surface is referred to as a
"ground-fault." Ground faults
ground-fault. Ground faults occur when current is
leaking somewhere, in effect, electricity is
escaping to the ground. How it leaks is very
important. If your body provides a path to the
ground for this leakage, you could be injured,
burned, severely shocked, or electrocuted.
Some examples of accidents that underscore this
hazard include the following:
- Two children, ages five and six, were
electrocuted in Texas when a plugged-in hair dryer
fell into the tub in which they were bathing.
- A three-year-old Kansas girl was electrocuted
when she touched a faulty countertop.
These two electrocutions occurred because the
electrical current escaping from the appliance
traveled through the victim to ground (in these
cases, the grounded plumbing fixtures). Had a GFCI
been installed, these deaths would probably have
been prevented because a GFCI would have sensed
the current flowing to ground and would have
switched off the power before the electrocution
occurred.
HOW THE GFC1 WORKS
In the home's wiring system, the GFCI
constantly monitors electricity flowing in a
circuit, to sense any loss of current. If the
current flowing through the circuit differs by a
small amount from that returning, the GFCI quickly
switches off power to that circuit. The GFCI
interrupts power faster than a blink of an eye to
prevent a lethal dose of electricity. You may
receive a painful shock, but you should not be
electrocuted or receive a serious shock injury.
Here's how it may work in your house..
Suppose a bare wire inside an appliance touches
the metal case. The case is then charged with
electricity. If you touch the appliance with one
hand while the other hand is touching a grounded
metal object, like a water faucet, you will
receive a shock. If the appliance is plugged into
an outlet protected by a GFCI, the power will be
shut off before a fatal shock would occur.
AVAILABILITY OF GFCIs
Three common types of ground fault circuit
interrupters are available for home use:
* RECEPTACLE TYPE
This type of GFCI is used in place of the standard
duplex receptacle found throughout the house It
fits into the standard outlet box and protects you
against "ground faults' whenever an
electrical product is plugged into the outlet Most
receptacle-type GFCls can be installed so that
they also protect other electri-cal outlets
further "down stream" in the branch
circuit.
* CIRCUIT BREAKER TYPE
In homes equipped with circuit breakers rather
than fuses, a circuit breaker GFCI may be
installed in a panel box to give protection to
selected circuits The circuit breaker GFCI serves
a dual purpose - not only will it shut off
electricity in the event of a
"ground-fault," but it will also trip
when a short circuit or an ov.er-load occurs
Protection covers the wiring and each outlet,
lighting fixture, heater, etc served by the branch
circuit protected by the GFCI in the panel box.
* PORTABLE TYPE
Where permanent GFCls are not practical, portable
GFCls may be used One type contains the GFCI
circuitry in a plastic encio-sure with plug blades
in the back and receptacle slots in the f rant. It
can be plugged into a receptacle, then, the
electrical product is plugged into the GFCI.
Another type of portable GFCI is an extension cord
combined with a GFCI. It adds flexibility in using
receptacles that are not protected by GFCls.
WHERE GFCIs SHOULD BE CONSIDERED
In homes built to comply with the National
Electrical Code (the Code), GFCI protection is
required for most outdoor receptacles (since
1973), bathroom receptacle circuits (since 1975),
garage wall outlets (since 1978), kitchen
receptacles (since 1987), and all receptacles in
crawl spaces and unfinished basements (since
1990).
Owners of homes that do not have GFCls installed
in all those critical areas specified in the
latest version of the Code should consider having
them installed. For broad protection, GFCI circuit
breakers may be added in many panels of older
homes to replace ordinary circuit breaker. For
homes protected by fuses, you are limited to
receptacle or portable-type GFCIs and these may be
installed in areas of greatest exposure, such as
the bathroom, kitchen, basement, garage, and
outdoor circuits.
A GFCI should be used whenever operating
electrically powered garden equipment (mower,
hedge trimmer, edger, etc.). Consumers can obtain
similar protection by using GFCIs with electric
tools (drills, saws, sanders, etc.) for
do-it-yourself work in and around the house.
INSTALLING GFCIs
Circuit breaker and receptacle-type GFCIs may
be installed in your home by a qualified
electrician. Receptacle-type GFCIs may be
installed by knowledgeable consumers familiar with
electrical wiring practices who also follow the
instructions accompanying the device. When in
doubt about the proper procedure, contact a
qualified electrician. Do not attempt to install
it yourself.
The portable GFCI requires no special knowledge or
equipment to install.
TESTING THE GFCIs
All GFCIs should be tested once a month to make
sure they are working properly and are protecting
you from fatal shock. GFCIs should be tested after
installation to make sure they are working
properly and protecting the circuit.
To test the receptacle GFCI, first plug a
nightlight or lamp into the outlet. The light
should be on Then, press the "TEST"
button on the GFCI. The GFCI's "RESET"
button should pop out, and the light should go
out.
If the "RESET" button pops out but the
light does not go out, the GFCI has been
improperly wired. Contact an electrician to
correct the wiring errors.
If the "RESET" button does not pop out,
the GFC1 is defective and should be replaced.
If the GFCI is functioning properly, and the lamp
goes out, press the "RESET" button to
restore power to the outlet.
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HOT
TOPICS |
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The recent Taylor County Burn Ban was lifted August 18.
Please continue to be careful.
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Congratulations to Jeremy Williams for
his recent promotion to Lieutenant!
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HELP PREVENT GRASS
FIRES
BE CAREFUL WHILE
WELDING OR WORKING WITH OTHER SPARK PRODUCING EQUIPMENT
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When was the
last time you tested your smoke detectors ?
Your Abilene
Fire Department reminds you to test your detectors MONTHLY
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Never cross a road that is covered in
water. 1 to 2 feet of water is capable of floating your
vehicle.
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"FIREWATCH"
FIREWATCH
every Monday on
KRBC 9 "Abilene's First News" during the
5:00pm Newscast
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CODE RED
The CodeRED system calls
only those who are in the telephone database. To ensure
no one is omitted, individuals and businesses are
encouraged to log onto the City of Abilene’s website, www.abilenetx.com,
and follow the link to the "CodeRED Residential and
Business Data Collection" page. Those without
Internet access may call Emergency Plans Office
(676-6525), Monday through Friday No one should
automatically assume his or her phone number is
included.
Questions should be
directed to the City of Abilene’s Office of Emergency
Management, (325) 676-6683.
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