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What is a gfci oulet?
GFCI=Ground Fault Circuit InterrupterIt's an electronic circuit breaker that compares the current on two wires. If the current is NOT equal, the breaker trips and does so quickly enough to prevent electrocution in the event of a "ground fault".
What device can break an electric circuit?
There are 2 different types of these devices: circuit breakers (which can be reset after the problem is fixed) and fuses (which must be replaced after the problem is fixed).
What is the difference between a ground fault breaker and a gfci outlet?
A ground fault breaker is installed in the distribution panel and every device that is connected to the breaker in that circuit is protected. A GFCI receptacle is installed in a outlet receptacle box. They can be wired two ways. Direct wired will protect just the outlet of the box that it is mounted in or (in - out) wired where the GFCI receptacle protects all of the down stream ordinary receptacles in the circuit.They're the same thing."GFCI" is an acronym for "Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter". It "interrupts, or "breaks" the circuit if there is a ground fault.A ground fault is defined as any condition in which current goes somewhere other than the return wire. The GFCI constantly compares the current through the "hot" wire to the current returning through the neutral wire, and if there is any significant difference in the two, the GFCI interrupts the current, potentially saving lives.
How many gfci outlets can you have on one circuit?
This question requires answering by a VERY knowledgable electrician, or an electrical engineer. I am neither, but until the right answer comes along, I will attempt to provide some information which hopefully will allow a better understanding of the issues involved. A GFCI [ground fault circuit interrupter] is much different from, although similar to, a circuit breaker. The DIFFERENCE is WHAT they are designed to detect and react to. The purpose of a fuse or circuit breaker is to detect excess or MASSIVE current flow [ie. a SHORT CIRCUIT, a direct short to ground], and then very quickly turn off the electrical current to the circuit, in order TO PREVENT a FIRE. This is the only thing the breaker is designed and intended to do. This limited capability will not prevent a person from being electrocuted when a fault occurs within an electrical device, if the current flow happens to be low. Voltage and current faults which can kill a person usually will not be detected by a circuit breaker. A ground fault circuit interrupter [GFCI], on the other hand, is designed to, and will, detect those low level currents which can kill a person, BUT which are not great enough to trip a breaker. When a GFCI detects potentially dangerous current it, like a breaker, trips in order to open the circuit. Now as to WHY, when you placed two GFCIs in series [one in the breaker panel feeding one in an electrical receptacle], the first GFCI tripped when the second GFCI is "tested." When you press the TEST BUTTON on a GFCI it puts a high resistance load on the circuit, which simulates a "small" ground fault, and I think both GFCIs "see" the same fault and react as designed and intended. Again, a true professional should "bless" my comments, but I think that there is no danger or hazard in placing two GFCIs in series. On the contrary, I think there is redundant capability in the pairing, with the first GFCI functioning with, and as a backup to, the second. I suggest you contact your local electrial inspection department regarding what the code(s) say about this issue, and also call the tech support people at the 800 number on the packaging for the GFCIs. Another source of information is a local electrical engineer, if you know someone who can help you make contact. Until a more informed answer comes along, I hope this helps you to understand the issues involved.
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.
Can a circuit with a GFCI be shared at the box?
Your question is a bit vague, but let's try a two part answer. If you have a GFCI breaker in an electric panel you should only have one connection at the breaker, but the breaker will protect all devices on the circuit. If you are talking about a GFCI outlet, they are equipped to extend the GFCI protection to other non-GFCI outlets by using the proper "output" connection on the GFCI.
Can you replace an ungrounded circuit breaker with a GFCI circuit breaker?
Yes but it's redundant and may cause unnecessary "tripping" of the circuit. The GFCI circuit breaker is intended to protect an entire receptacle circuit whereas a GFCI receptacle is designed to protect only that receptacle and any which are provided power from its load side. (downstream)
Can you wire two 220V devices off of one 50A GFCI breaker where the total load is 38A?
No, only one GFCI per circuit.
What is a gfci oulet?
GFCI=Ground Fault Circuit InterrupterIt's an electronic circuit breaker that compares the current on two wires. If the current is NOT equal, the breaker trips and does so quickly enough to prevent electrocution in the event of a "ground fault".
Can one use 1 circuit of a 3 wire plus ground 2 circuit cable as a GFI circuit with the other as a lighting circuit?
A GFCI can not be used on a three wire branch circuit. It has to be on a single two wire circuit.
How do you install a GFCI so it is always on to a two way light switch that controls a vent and a light in a bathroom?
Your question sounds simple but it isn't. There are two ways of wiring a light to a switch. One is to bring the hot and neutral wire to the switch box and from there run wires from the switch to the light. If this is the case you can install a GFCI on the circuit. The other way is to bring the hot and neutral wire to the light and from there run two wires to the switch and switch the light that way. In this case you cannot install a GFCI to in the switch box. <<>> The way you want the circuit to work has to be laid out as follows. Method one, the circuit that now controls the bathroom devices can be changed to a GFCI breaker. This is probably the quickest and cheapest, unless the job is new construction. Method two, if new construction use this method, as tearing walls open to get to the wiring will become costly. Where a supply circuit comes from the service distribution panel the first device on that circuit has to be a GFCI receptacle. This device has secondary terminals on it, that if connected every device downstream from it will also be protected. So if you supply the two way light switch that controls the vent fan and a bathroom light from the secondary terminals from the GFCI receptacle they will be protected.
GFCI circuitry often checks for a difference in current between the ground and neutral?
A GFCI monitors the current in the ungrounded (hot) conductor and the grounded (neutral) conductor. If there is more than 6mA of current difference between the two the GFCI will open the circuit.
What size circuit breaker do you need for kichen counter outlets?
Two 20 Amp circuits with the outlets staggered so a different circuit is on two adjacent outlets. Should be GFCI protected.
What device can break an electric circuit?
There are 2 different types of these devices: circuit breakers (which can be reset after the problem is fixed) and fuses (which must be replaced after the problem is fixed).
What is the difference between a ground fault breaker and a gfci outlet?
A ground fault breaker is installed in the distribution panel and every device that is connected to the breaker in that circuit is protected. A GFCI receptacle is installed in a outlet receptacle box. They can be wired two ways. Direct wired will protect just the outlet of the box that it is mounted in or (in - out) wired where the GFCI receptacle protects all of the down stream ordinary receptacles in the circuit.They're the same thing."GFCI" is an acronym for "Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter". It "interrupts, or "breaks" the circuit if there is a ground fault.A ground fault is defined as any condition in which current goes somewhere other than the return wire. The GFCI constantly compares the current through the "hot" wire to the current returning through the neutral wire, and if there is any significant difference in the two, the GFCI interrupts the current, potentially saving lives.
What protects against circuit failure?
Two examples of how to protect against circuit failure are fuses and circuit breakers.
What are two methods used in most circuit breakers to protect electrical circuits?
There is a heated bimetallic strip that provides a time delay small overload protection. When its contact makes, it energizes a coil to trip the breaker. Some breakers are mechanical, though. There is a coil that trips the breaker instantly on large overload.
