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== == If the current in an ac power circuit is not balanced between hot and neutral, possibly meaning some of the current is going through a human being to ground, a GFCI breaker or receptacle will break the circuit to keep the person from being electrocuted.
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∙ 7y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoWell, first the magical fairies sprint around and tap whatever that is with a wand and BANG they work.
See, I'm proving a point. DONT TRUST EVERYTHING THE internet TELLS YOU. DOUBLE CHECK.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoThe function of a GFCI is any fault to ground will automatically trip the circuit. For example, if a hairdryer is plugged into a GFCI receptacle and it is dropped into a sink of water, the GFCI will shut down power to the receptacle.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoA GFCI / ground fault circuit interrupter monitors the flow of the current to determine if there are dips or peaks of the circuit. This can be used to prevent electronics from becoming overloaded and to prevent surges in the electrical line.
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∙ 7y agoInterrupt (i.e. disconnect) power in the circuit if it detects a ground fault (i.e. leakage of current from hot line not returning on neutral line). This prevents shocks that could be fatal due to either failures inside the equipment or contact of the equipment with water (e.g. in bathroom or kitchen sink).
They are similar in operation to circuit breakers, however a circuit breaker is intended only to protect the wiring from overloads and thus prevent fires, not protect users against electrical shocks. However some circuit breakers are available that also include ground fault circuit interrupters, they will provide both types of protection (my apartment has one of these in the breaker box for the bathroom circuit).
Wiki User
∙ 7y agoA ground fault interrupter is part of an electrical outlet. When it senses that something between the source of the electrical current and the device that is plugged into it has connected with earth ground, it will turn the current off, thus not frying you or the device that was running. For example if you were using a hair dryer and the cord had part of its insulation worn and that part dangled into the sink where there was a little pool of water, and you were in bare feet standing on a wet spot in the bathroom, you just completed the electrical circuit directly to earth ground from a power source. Without the GFI you would be instantly electrocuted.
GFI outlets are required whenever an electrical outlet is located near a water source like a sink, washing machine, etc.
Wiki User
∙ 6y agoA GFCI is a device that protects the homeowner from electrocution. When the device detects 5/1000 of an amp difference in the power going out from the hot leg and flowing back to the neutral leg it will trip, cutting off power to that circuit. The device detects that it is putting out more power than it is getting back. This lets it know that the power is going somewhere else and that is more than likely a person. It will trip so fast as to prevent an electrocution of a person.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agothe type of the interrupter maters for what ypu are using it for it grrounds it to the ground like it says and it protects it from being interrupted with
Wiki User
∙ 6y agoIt is protective device that breaks or isolates the circuit if there is an earth Fault in the circuit.
Wiki User
∙ 7y agoIt is a very sensitive circuit breaker that trips off the circuit it is protecting when it detects a small milliamp ground fault on its circuit.
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What is a ark fault circuit breaker?
install breaker in panel and put the hot wire on the breaker and also there should be a place for the neutral on the breaker also both wires will be landed on the breaker in different spots and then take the white wire that is coiled on breaker and land it on the neutral bar
Why do you use a gfi outlet?
GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) For electricity to work, an incoming current on one wire must be exactly same as a current returning on another wire. If those two currents are different by even 0.005 amps, then current may have found some other and dangerous path. Such as through a human body. A GFCI measures these currents. If a difference is too large, then a switch trips to cut off current. So that a human is not killed now or sometime in the future.
What is wrong if you shut off the electricity at the circuit box and had to shut off a few to find the right circuit to change a fixture and now your pool lights and kitchen ceiling fan do not work?
== == Sometimes when you shut down a circuit breaker it doesn't go all the way back to the on position. Try shutting them off again, making sure they go fully to the off position then flip them on making sure they are fully on. If the toggle that you flip is wobbly or feels loose that is your problem and you can correct it by doing the above. It is possible that one of the circuit breakers you turned off is bad. I have turned off breakers before and had them fail to reconnect the circuit when it was flipped back on. I had to replace the breakers. Could be the electrical circuits in the pool area - which is very liable to get water spray and splashes - is protected by a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) as well as the main circuit breaker on the supply panel.If that fixture you mentioned has been replaced incorrectly there could be a wiring error or a ground fault condition which is tripping the GFCI. As working on electricity in a wet area is now illegal in many localities - check the wiring codes or regulations in the town or state where you live - it is safest and best to call in a licensed electrician to fix this problem for you. IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.If you do this work yourself, always turn off the powerat the breaker box/fuse panel BEFORE you attempt to do any work AND always use a meter or voltage indicator to insure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.
Can you put a GFCI into a circuit with an existing GFCI and what will happen if the two GFCIs are in a series circuit?
Note: The latest types of Ground Fault Circuit Interruptor (GFCI) are also called Residual Current Devices (RCDs)."Can you put a GFCI into a circuit with a GFCI?" is probably the same question as "What if two GFCI are in series in a circuit?" and the answer is that one GFCI will most likely trip earlier than the other to break the circuit. Which one will trip first depends on the actual difference in sensitivity between the two GFCIs. Leakage currents are measured in mA (1 mA = 1 thousandth of an Ampere) and GFCIs are designed to trip at a certain leakage current with a tolerance of say + or - 3%. So if the basic trip current was 20 milliamps one GFCI might trip at 19.4 mA and the other at 20.6 mA and they would both be within the design specification. The one that trips at 19.4 mA would be expected to trip first. This question requires answering by a VERY knowledgeable 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. As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.Before you do any work yourself,on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
When do you need a GFCI breaker?
Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz supply service.GFCI receptacles are required by the US National Electrical Code in locations where water and electricity are likely to come into contact, such as in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoors. For dwellings (places where people live) the exact places GFCI protection is required are listed in Article 210.8 of the US National Electrical Code 2008:(1) bathrooms(2) garages(3) outdoors(4) crawl spaces(5) unfinished basements(6) kitchens(7) laundry, utility, and wet bar sinks(8) boathousesAs always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.IF YOU'RE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.If you do this work yourself, always turn off the powerat the breaker box/fuse panel BEFORE you attempt to do any work AND always use a meter or voltage indicator to insure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.
How the earth leakege detectors work?
If you are referring to the "ground fault interrupter", then it works on the principal of what goes in must come out. Current is measured going into the device. As long as the same amount of current returns through the neutral wire, (everything is equal), then the ground fault interrupter remains intact and passes current. If there is more current going into the device than is coming back, it means some of the current is leaking to ground or shorting to ground (possibly through a human body). When this happens, the ground fault interrupter kicks out and cuts the voltage going into the device. You have to manually reset the ground interrupter to make it work again. This way, the ground fault interrupter helps prevent serious injury or death to the possible human that is getting shocked.
How do you find out the reason why the motor trips the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter when starting?
GFI Breakers are designed to an entire system of Receptacle's. they work by tripping any time there is an over load in the system , shorts and quick changes in current. make sure there isn't anything on other receptacle's. still occurs, put the load on it's own breaker..
What is the test button for on a GFCI or an RCD?
The "TEST" button is there for you to check the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) or Residual Current Device (RCD) is operating correctly. When you test the device using its Test button it should trip to break the circuit. Then anything connected to that circuit will have no power. If the device is tripped - such as when you press the Test button - no outlet in that circuit will be able to work until you reset the device using its "RESET" button. If the GFCI or RCD just keeps on tripping off every time you reset it, then you have a circuit or appliance fault somewhere. The fault will have to be fixed before the device can be reset. For more information click on the Related Questions shown below. As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.Before you do any work yourself,on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
What is a ark fault circuit breaker?
install breaker in panel and put the hot wire on the breaker and also there should be a place for the neutral on the breaker also both wires will be landed on the breaker in different spots and then take the white wire that is coiled on breaker and land it on the neutral bar
Why does the gauge in your car goes to the right when the gas runs lows?
Not sure, but I think it has to do with the ground having a fault and not working. I believe the fuel volume works as a ground with more fuel in the tank - and as the fuel is used it fails to cause the same action as a good ground would, the ability of the fuel to act as a ground stops and the fault then acts like there is no longer a circuit (ground). First, I would check the circuit and test for a good ground, if that does not work, I would think the sending unit is not working correctly. Good luck, and hope this helps. (Oldsmobile Eddy in Carson City, Nevada)
Why won't wipers in a '92 Wrangler work if the wiper motor is good and the wiper switch is good?
Check ground circuit I believe that it is a "ground" switched circuit
What to do if outlets don't work?
Check for a tripped GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interruptor), a blown fuse or a tripped circuit breaker.As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.Before you do any work yourself,on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
Why do you use a gfi outlet?
GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) For electricity to work, an incoming current on one wire must be exactly same as a current returning on another wire. If those two currents are different by even 0.005 amps, then current may have found some other and dangerous path. Such as through a human body. A GFCI measures these currents. If a difference is too large, then a switch trips to cut off current. So that a human is not killed now or sometime in the future.
When power fails in electronic circuit where do l start tracing fault?
Start at the supply and work toward the load.
Will an arc fault breaker work without a ground?
Yes a GFCI will work without a ground wire. A GFCI looks for a current differential between current in on the "hot" wire and current return on the neutral wire. Since current is the same throughout the circuit, no difference, no trip. If the load grounds out or shorts out, the current then takes the path of least resistance through the ground and not the neutral. This creates a difference between the "hot" and return neutral current and the device trips the circuit open.
How is a Residual Current Device or RCD different to a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter or GFCI?
Nowadays terms Residual Current Device or RCD and Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter or GFCI refer to the same type of electrical safety device.If there is no fault anywhere in a circuit supplying single-phase alternating power to a unit such as an electrical appliance, machine or other equipment, the current flowing to the unit at any instant in the "hot" or "live" wire should exactly match the current flowing away from the unit in the neutral wire. Similarly, there should be no current flowing in the unit's safety "ground" or "earth" wire.It is a basic fact of electrical engineering design that all current flowing to an electrical appliance, machine or other equipment from the power generation station via its supply circuit's "hot" or "live" wire should only return to the power station via that same circuit's "neutral" wire.So, as a result of that basic fact, if any current isflowing in the ground wire, it must be caused by a fault condition and the supply of current to the circuit needs to be stopped urgently. Many years before today's electronic RCDs or GFCIs were designed, much simpler electro-mechanical relays called Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers (ELCBs) were invented so that, if any such ground current exceeding just a few milliamps was detected, they would "trip" - meaning "operate" - to break the current supply to the circuits for which they were installed to protect.An Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker was the first name given to what is now called a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) . The original type of ELCB or GFCI was designed only to detect a current flowing in the safety "ground" or "earth" wire.So the original type of ELCB or GFCI did not check for any difference in current flowing in the live and neutral wires, a difference that would be an indication of another type of serious fault condition. Such a fault can be serious because, even if no current can be detected flowing in the ground wire, the "missing current" may actually be flowing to ground via someone's body!After miniature electronic circuits were invented the invention of RCDs became possible: an RCD constantly checks for small differences in the currents flowing in the live compared to the neutral wire and for any current flowing in the earth wire. If any such "fault current" is detected, the device is designed to act very fast to shut off the supply of power to the circuit and the unit(s) it is protecting, because the "missing current" may actually be flowing to ground via someone's body!That is the reason why, when RCDs were invented, most manufacturers of GFCIs adopted the same technology because it offers so much more protection to users than the original GFCI could ever give.In the US and Canada such devices are still commonly known as "GFCIs" or "GFIs" even though they have the additional "residual current detector" functionality, whilst in Europe and elsewhere the more accurate name of "Residual Current Detector" or RCD has been widely adopted for general use instead of using the name of the originally much simpler GFCI device.For more information on all these topics see the answers to the Related Questions and the Related Link shown below.As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.Before you do any work yourself,on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
What is wrong if you shut off the electricity at the circuit box and had to shut off a few to find the right circuit to change a fixture and now your pool lights and kitchen ceiling fan do not work?
== == Sometimes when you shut down a circuit breaker it doesn't go all the way back to the on position. Try shutting them off again, making sure they go fully to the off position then flip them on making sure they are fully on. If the toggle that you flip is wobbly or feels loose that is your problem and you can correct it by doing the above. It is possible that one of the circuit breakers you turned off is bad. I have turned off breakers before and had them fail to reconnect the circuit when it was flipped back on. I had to replace the breakers. Could be the electrical circuits in the pool area - which is very liable to get water spray and splashes - is protected by a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) as well as the main circuit breaker on the supply panel.If that fixture you mentioned has been replaced incorrectly there could be a wiring error or a ground fault condition which is tripping the GFCI. As working on electricity in a wet area is now illegal in many localities - check the wiring codes or regulations in the town or state where you live - it is safest and best to call in a licensed electrician to fix this problem for you. IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.If you do this work yourself, always turn off the powerat the breaker box/fuse panel BEFORE you attempt to do any work AND always use a meter or voltage indicator to insure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.
