INSTALLING GROUND FAULT
CIRCUIT INTERRUPTERS (GFCI)
GFCI protection is recommended for outlets in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms or other places where
appliances may come into contact with water, as well as outdoor outlets. In fact, the Electrical Safety Code
requires GFCI protection for new electrical installations around swimming pools and hot tubs, and for all
bathrooms and outdoor outlets in new homes.
There are two types of GFCIs designed for home use:
Wall receptacle GFCI - This looks like a standard wall outlet, but has "test" and "reset" buttons.
Circuit breaker GFCI - For homes equipped with circuit breakers rather than fuses, a GFCI may be
installed in the electrical panel to protect an entire branch circuit. This shuts off electricity in case of a
ground fault and also trips when a short circuit or electrical overload occurs.
Both types should be installed by a qualified electrician.
Portable GFCI devices are also available. This type can be plugged into an unprotected outlet and then an
electrical appliance is plugged into the GFCI. Portable GFCIs are not meant to replace the other methods,
but rather provide protection when you must use a potentially hazardous outlet. Portable GFCIs are often
used in construction and outdoors with electric appliances.
Testing GFCIs
A GFCI is subject to wear and tear - a strong power surge during an electrical storm can damage one. So even
though your GFCI wall receptacle is providing power, it may no longer provide protection from electrical
shocks.
To make sure your receptacle GFCIs are working properly, you should test them each month.
It's a simple procedure:
Push the reset button to get the GFCI ready for testing.
Plug a nightlight or lamp into the GFCI receptacle and turn it on. The light should now be on.
Press the test button on the GFCI. The light should go out.
Press the reset button. The light should go on again.
To test a circuit breaker GFCI:
Push the test button. This should cause the circuit breaker to snap.
Check an appliance or light on the circuit to make sure it's shut off.
Switch the circuit back on by flipping the toggle switch on the circuit breaker GFCI.
The power should now be back on.
If a GFCI in your home fails the test, you should immediately contact
a qualified electrician to check the unit and correct the problem.