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The GFI switch, also known as the Ground Fault Interrupter switch, is an electrical device that has the duty of preventing electrical shocks and fires by detecting a ground fault and then automatically tripping off the power supply.
Ezra Uzza
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoFor all regular gfi outlets, the power travels through two wires. Think of it as a wire coming from the power company, delivering power to the appliance, and a wire going back, sending any leftover power to be reused.
Now, the earth is a huge mass, which can absorb a lot of electricity, and it will do so gladly. If lightning hits a tree. the power is transmitted through the tree to the earth. Usually the tree doesn't fare very well. The earth doesn't seem to mind at all.
Likewise, if a person is well grounded, by standing on wet ground, touching a grounded pipe or object or soaking in a tub, and they come in contact with electricity, it can travel through them to reach the ground. This can cause intense pain, burns and, sometimes, death.
A GFI has a very sensitive detector that notices if any of that power that came in isn't going back to the power company. It assumes that it is going to ground and shuts off. Wet appliances, wet outlets, frayed wires, evn excess damp in the air can cause GFIs to trip.
A GFI can also protect outlets that are "downstream" of it. If other outlets are wired to it, they will cause the GFI to trip if a ground fault occurs.
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GFI electrical outlet at the garage where the freezer hook up keeps on tripping but when plug at the electrical outlet of the garage door openner does not trip. What is mostly the problem?
Electric motors and GFI's do not get along. the initial draw to get the compressor going is usually enough to trip the GFI. Turn the breaker off and switch the GFI for a regular outlet and you will solve your problem.
Why do CFL's keep blowing in my lamp that is pluged into a GFI outlet?
Are you sure it is the bulb that its blowing and not the Gfi tripping? Try resetting the gfi. Also try swithing to an incandescent bulb and test your gfi. Also test the cfl in a non-gfi outlet. Cfls return power they don't use and may make the gfi trip. I am not an electrician, just personal experience.
Do both the breakers and the outlets need to be GFI if you are running two 15 amp GFI circuits?
If you're using a GFCI breaker then the entire circuit will be protected by just the breaker alone. Every receptacle, switch, etc on that breaker will utilise the GFCI protection. You may have problems with it tripping if you plug in a motor (vacuum, etc) on the circuit.
Do you need a gfi plug for a spa if it is being plugged into a gfi circuit?
If your spa is connected with a GFCI circuit breaker you will not need the GFCI receptacle.
The light on my gfi outlet is dim and sometimes out i am getting no power to it but the circuit breaker is not tripped i just replaced the gfi and it didn't help any ideas?
If the GFI outlet is tripped (the outlet, not the breaker) then it is telling you there is a ground fault which must be fixed. If the GFI outlet is not tripped, and the breaker is not tripped, but it is still not providing power, then you have a loose connection or a wiring error.
GFI electrical outlet at the garage where the freezer hook up keeps on tripping but when plug at the electrical outlet of the garage door openner does not trip. What is mostly the problem?
Electric motors and GFI's do not get along. the initial draw to get the compressor going is usually enough to trip the GFI. Turn the breaker off and switch the GFI for a regular outlet and you will solve your problem.
How does a GFI switch work?
An electric flow-monitoring switch (GFI switch) detects the difference between the entering and exiting current. So, it is concluded that if the breaker detects some difference then it indicates that the current is flowing through an undesirable path like water or a person is the case, so, it cuts off the power immediately, thus preventing the danger.
Can GFI's be used to repair short circuits?
No. That is not the purpose of a GFI.
When was GFI Software created?
GFI Software was created in 1992.
When was GFI Group created?
GFI Group was created in 1987.
When was GFI Russia created?
GFI Russia was created in 1996.
What is the population of GFI Group?
The population of GFI Group is 2,010.
Why do CFL's keep blowing in my lamp that is pluged into a GFI outlet?
Are you sure it is the bulb that its blowing and not the Gfi tripping? Try resetting the gfi. Also try swithing to an incandescent bulb and test your gfi. Also test the cfl in a non-gfi outlet. Cfls return power they don't use and may make the gfi trip. I am not an electrician, just personal experience.
How do you connect the wires when replacing a socket that has a gfi button with one that does not have the gfi button?
Don't ! get another GFI plug. there 4 dollars and the instructions come with it
Difference between nessus and gfi languard?
GFI surpasses Nessus when targeting Windows hosts
What is the symbol for GFI Group Inc in the NYSE?
The symbol for GFI Group Inc. in the NYSE is: GFIG.
How do you wire a garbage disposal between the disposal and the GFI?
White and the ground go to the disposal, black goes through a switch and then to the disposal. All three go through the switch box, the white and ground just pass through on the way to the disposal. Break the black with the switch.
