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If your home isn't equipped with ground fault circuit interrupter
(GFCI) circuit breakers, their installation is well worth considering
when you plan to upgrade electrical service. Not only do they provide
the same safety overcurrent protection as a standard circuit breaker
but they also protect against the hazardous effects of certain kinds
of ground faults that can cause electric shock. By code, the GFCIs
must be installed in new homes in a circuit in the areas where a
ground fault is a possible hazard. Water, for example, is a potential
hazard, as is a wet or damp floor. That is, GFCIs are found in kitchens,
bathrooms, and perhaps, laundry and garage electrical circuits.
GFCIs
compare the amount of current entering a fixture on the black wire
with the amount leaving on the neutral wire. Any discrepancy indicates
leaking in the system. If the GFCI detects a difference between
the current, it breaks the current in 1/40 second, fast enough to
prevent serious and sometimes fatal shock. The
Three Types of GFCIs-
- Direct-wired
GFCI receptacles can be installed in place of individual receptacles
and offer the same ground fault protection as circuit breaker
GFCls. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation
and testing carefully.
- Circuit
breaker/GFCIs offer the same over current protection as standard
circuit breakers, plus protection against the hazardous effects
of ground faults.
- Plug-in
or portable GFCIs provide fault protection wherever it is needed.
These devices are simply plugged into any 15 or 20 amp, 120 volt
AC receptacle.
Installation
of GFCI Circuit Breaker-
To install a GFCI circuit breaker, proceed as follows:
- Remove
the old breaker. Use steps 1 to 5 outlined in "Replacing a Faulty
Circuit Breaker."
- Switch
the GFCI breaker OFF and connect the white pigtail wire to a terminal
on the neutral bus bar.
- Plug
the breaker in the mounting chassis.
- Identify
the white neutral wire on the circuit you're working with. Connect
it to the breaker terminal marked "load neutral". Connect the
black wire to the breaker terminal lug marked "load power".
- Replace
the panel cover, switch ON the main breaker, then switch ON the
GFCI breaker.
- With
the GFCI ON, push the "push to test" button. If a handle moves
to the trip position and the power to the circuit goes OFF, the
GFCI is working properly.
- To
reset the GFCI, push the handle to the extreme OFF position, then
turn ON. Then test the circuit with a voltage tester.
If a
GFCI breaker trips, it could be caused by a short circuit or an
overload circuit or due to a leakage path to ground. If it tripped
while you were using a tool or appliance, that tool or appliance
is most likely to be the trouble source. Unplug it, reset the GFCI
and test the circuit. If the GFCI device remains ON, do not use
the tool or appliance until it has been professionally repaired.
If the GFCI does not remain ON, unplug all loads on the circuit
one at a time, resetting the GFCI and testing the circuit each time.
If you locate the trouble source this way, do not use the lamp,
tool, or appliance until it has been professionally repaired. If
you have not located the trouble, your wiring system may be leaking
to ground or misconnected, and should be checked by a licensed electrician.
GFCIs
should be tested every month or so. You can do this by pushing the
bottom marked "test." The test button will activate or trip the
reset button to show that the device is working. Then push the reset.
NOTE:
GFCI devices will trip immediately if the neutral wire of its load
circuit touches or connects to ground or the neutral wire of another
circuit.
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