Have you ever noticed the outlets in your home that feature small “test” and “reset” buttons on their front? These are GFCI outlets, which stand for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters. The home inspection professionals at HomePro Inspections want you to know what these specialized outlets are for and why they are absolutely crucial for the safety of everyone in your home.
A GFCI outlet located at a kitchen counter
This is Shocking
Most of us have experienced mild shocks at some point in our lives. Some have resulted from accidents, while others stemmed from the indiscretions of our youth. The worst shock I can recall is when I helped my dad with a project as a child. As I picked up his circular saw (made of cast aluminum) and pulled the trigger to cut a 2x4, I was immediately shocked and knocked right onto the floor.
What happened was that I became part of an electrical circuit. The electricity quickly traveled through my body, searching for a path to ground. Fortunately, the shock was considered minor, which is odd since here I am, over 50 years later, recalling the event in vivid detail! If my muscles hadn’t reacted as they did, I could have suffered burns, tissue damage, or even death.
Many factors can determine the severity of a shock:
· The strength of the voltage.
· Your resistance as a conductor – dry skin versus wet skin.
· The path that the electricity takes through your body.
· The duration of the shock. Higher amperage may cause your muscles to freeze, preventing you from letting go of what is shocking you.
Predicting the exact severity of an electrical shock is impossible. Various combinations of factors can be involved. Avoiding water contact is crucial, as it increases conductivity for you and your surroundings.
The Solution
Residential electrical systems saw the introduction of a new protection device in the late 1960s, known as a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, or GFCI. The purpose and design of the GFCI is to significantly reduce the risks of electrical shocks to individuals.
GFCIs provide enhanced protection against electrical shocks, while standard breakers or fuses protect your home from damage or fire. These breakers or fuses will trip when excessive current causes your electrical system to overheat. A typical breaker may not trip at all if you experience an electric shock.
A GFCI is designed to measure the amperage of the current flowing to and from the outlet or circuit it protects. If the GFCI detects more power flowing to the hot side of the outlet than is returning through the neutral, it will instantly interrupt the flow of electricity. This is what is generally known as a “fault.”
If you become a conductor (part of the circuit) and electricity travels through your body from the hot wire to ground instead of returning through the neutral wire, the GFCI detects the difference and instantly interrupts (turns off) the circuit. This all happens in fractions of a second, potentially saving your life from electrocution.
The circuitry within a GFCI outlet constantly checks for any differences between the current in the black and white wires. If there’s a difference, even as small as 5 milliamps, it indicates a current leak, possibly through your body, prompting the GFCI to shut down the receptacle and any downstream receptacles.
The National Electric Code (NEC) began mandating GFCI outlets in certain areas of the home. Over time, the use of GFCIs throughout the home has expanded. GFCIs are required for outlets or circuits near running or standing water. You can find GFCIs in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, garages, unfinished spaces, and exterior outlets.
Please refer to the GFCI Fact Sheet from the Consumer Products Safety Commission.
GFCI Outlets vs. Breakers
One form of GFCI is the type typically found in wall outlets. These can protect either the individual outlet or the entire circuit, as long as it's the first outlet in the circuit and a ground wire is present.
The breaker panel offers another option for GFCIs. If all the receptacles on the circuit have a ground wire connected, this type of GFCI can protect the entire circuit.
GFCIs and Home Inspections
During a home inspection, we almost always discuss GFCI outlets and breakers. Our inspectors must document the presence or absence of GFCI protection in necessary locations. Your inspector will also test each GFCI to ensure it functions correctly and provides protection where needed.
It is not unusual for your home inspector to find GFCI outlets that are not functioning correctly. GFCIs wear out over time, and in areas with high moisture, such as bathrooms, garages, or outdoors, the contacts can corrode due to humidity, preventing them from operating correctly. Your home inspection report will note this safety concern.
Older homes may lack GFCI outlets because their construction did not require them. Regardless of the home's age, your home inspector will recommend installing GFCI protection in the appropriate areas.
Periodically Test Your GFCIs
As mentioned earlier, GFCIs can wear out over time. It is advisable to test them to ensure they are functioning correctly. You can use the test button on the GFCI receptacle or an outlet tester like the one your home inspector used during your home inspection. After tripping the circuit, plug in a radio or a lamp to verify that there is, in fact, no power to the outlet.
Because the internal components can wear out over time, you should also regularly test these. When you press the test button on your GFCI, there should be an audible click or pop. You can achieve this by plugging in an appliance such as a lamp and pressing the “test” button. GFCI breakers also have the same “test” function built in.
When you press the reset button, power should be restored, and your lamp should light up again. If your GFCI doesn't work correctly, contact an electrician.
Summary
As part of a home inspection, our home inspectors check to see if GFCIs are installed in the proper locations and operating correctly. Any issues will be documented in your inspection report.
Ultimately, you will want to ensure your home has GFCIs installed to protect you and your family. The added safety and protection far outweigh the cost of adding GFCI outlets, which can be swapped out for an existing outlet or breaker in your panel.
Visit our website to learn more or to schedule your home inspection in the Rochester, Owatonna, and Faribault, MN, area. You can contact us today at (507) 202-8942, by email, or use our online “Schedule Now” feature to schedule an appointment.