The Importance Of GFCIs In Your Home
Having GFCIs in your home is an important way to keep you and your family safe when it comes to the dangers of electric shock.According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), GFCIs have cut the number of home electrocutions by half. By detecting ground faults–an unintentional electric path between a source of current and a grounded surface; essentially, current leaking to the ground–a GFCI protects you from severe or fatal electric shocks.
This video will show you how to install a GFCI outlet electrical plug
How to Install GFCI Outlets
GFCI outlets reduce the danger of deadly shock from faulty plug-in cords and devices. A GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) is a special type of outlet that detects dangerous ground faults and immediately turns off the power to stop shocks. You can replace almost any electrical outlet with a GFCI outlet. Correctly wired GFCIs will also protect other outlets on the same circuit.
While it’s common to find GFCI outlets in bathrooms and kitchens, the electrical code also requires GFCIs in unfinished basements, garages, most outdoor receptacles and places where construction activity occurs. We’ll show you how to replace a standard duplex receptacle with a GFCI and wire it to protect other outlets. (For more information about wiring outlets, see Wiring Switches and Outlets).
You’ll need a screwdriver, a wire cutting and stripping tool, and an inexpensive voltage tester. We also recommend you add a GFCI tester to your tool drawer. GFCI testers are available at home centers and hardware stores and are a handy device for troubleshooting standard outlets as well as GFCIs.
Steps: Installing A GFCI Outlet
Step1: Turn Off the Power
Turn off the power to the circuit. Over the breaker, place a strip of tape with Do not touch written on it; it’s also not a bad idea to place a similar sign on the front of the breaker box.
Step2: Remove the Cover Plate
Use a tester to make sure the power to the outlet is indeed turned off (Image 1).
Remove the screws holding the cover plate and take the plate off (Image 2). Then test the outlet again — and be sure to use the tester to probe all around the box to make sure there’s no “juice” at all.
Step3: Remove the Wires
Remove the mounting screw and take the outlet from the wall.
Remove the wires from the outlet in the following order: Starting with the black (hot) wire, loosen the screw that holds it by turning it counterclockwise. Then do the same to remove the white (neutral) wire and lastly, the ground wire. Read more.
Safety Tips About GFCI
This is where the ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) comes in. A common safety feature that can be identified as two small buttons located in between the two sockets on an electric outlet, the GFCI’s function is to constantly monitor the power current flowing through a circuit. The moment the GFCI senses even a small disparity between the current flowing into the outlet and the return current, it intervenes by shutting off the power to that outlet. Call (214) 238-8353 us for your home service and repair needs.
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