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Q: How often do you check GFCI?
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Do you need a gfci outlet if you have a gfci breaker?

Not if the GFCI breaker is supplying the circuit you are wanting to put the GFCI receptacle into.


Is an GFCI protected outlet required for an outdoor sewage pump?

1. Check with local regulation , authorities. Go by the local law or regulation. 2. If the application is in wet area, risk of ground fault is more, hence go for GFCI.


Getting no power from gfci outlet line?

A GFCI outlet has a TEST and RESET switch. Press reset and see if it fixes problem. If reset won't stay in that means that a ground fault condition is present and may be on another outlet that is fed from the tripped GFCI. If this isn't the problem check the main breaker feeding the GFCI and ensure it isn't tripped. If none of this works the GFCI itself may be bad. If you have a Volt Meter you can remove the outlet from the wall receptacle and make sure there is voltage present. You can also see if there is a branch circuit connected. To troubleshoot you can disconnect the branch circuit and then try reset. If you have voltage on input and GFCI won't reset with branch circuits removed, replace the GFCI.


Why and when would you use a GFCI breaker within a older home with a groun?

You need a GFCI outlet at any location that is within 6' of a water source. You also need a GFCI outlet in a room with a concrete floor, any garage, and any location outside the home or under the home in the crawl space. A GFCI outlet protects you from electrical shock near water or moisture. You can protect more than one outlet with 1 GFCI outlet. Connect the incoming power to the LINE side of the GFCI outlet and all the other outlets getting power from that outlet to the LOAD side of the GFCI outlet. That way they will all be protected by 1 GFCI. A GFCI breaker is used to protect an entire circuit and not just individual receptacles. It is often cheaper to use GFCI receptacles than a breaker, especially if "piggy-backed" such as described above. It is also more convenient to reset a GFCI receptacle than to reset a breaker. But your question is "why." From this I suspect you may be misunderstanding the difference between a breaker and GFCI protection. To keep things simple let me say that a GFCI does not work on the same principles as a standard breaker. It provides a much safer protection than a standard breaker. Even with a ground you need GFCI protection as listed above.


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.

Related questions

How often should GFCI be tested?

GFCI outlets should be tested monthly to ensure they are working properly. This can be done by pressing the "Test" and then "Reset" buttons on the outlet. If the GFCI does not trip when tested, it may need to be replaced.


Can you plug surge masters into gfci?

It is not recommended to plug surge protectors into a GFCI outlet because the surge protector can interfere with the GFCI's function. However, some surge protectors are designed to work with GFCI outlets, so it's best to check the manufacturer's instructions before doing so.


When would it be a better idea in a residence to install a GFCI breaker instead of an GFCI outlet?

GFCI Breakers are quite a bit more expensive than a GFCI outlet. More often than not a typical residence will need only a handful of GFCI outlets that combined together will be cheaper than a GFCI breaker. If you need to protect a series of outlets with GFCI protection you can simply connect the rest of the outlets on that same circuit downstream from the first outlet on the line and make that the GFCI. All you have to do is connect all the other outlets to the LOAD side of the GFCI outlet. If a GFCI fault occurs in any of the outlets down stream they will trip that very first GFCI plug you placed and keep you safe.


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.


Why does your protective device keep tripping out?

Because something is wrong. Check for shorts and, if it is a GFCI, also check for ground faults and leakages. It is also possible, in the case of a GFCI, that an inappropriate load, such as a computer monitor or UPS, is connected. These devices pull transient power to ground and will trip a GFCI. Do not ignore the situation. The protective device is tripping for a reason.


Do you need a gfci outlet if you have a gfci breaker?

Not if the GFCI breaker is supplying the circuit you are wanting to put the GFCI receptacle into.


The GFCI outlet's reset button does not pop out when the test button is pressed it is already out and when I try to press it in it will not catch although it does have power?

This indicates either you have an active ground fault or the GFCI is bad. To check this out turn off power at breaker and remove GFCI outlet from wall box. Determine if it is powering other non-GFCI outlets. (It will have both input and output wires. If there are output wires remove them and check the outlet again with power and see if it resets. If it does you have a ground fault down the line somewhere. If it still doesn't work you likely have a bad GFCI.


Can you use a GFCI plug into a GFCI outlet?

Yes you can. Lots of blow dryers have GFCI protection built in.


When there is a lot of rain the outside GFCI trips even though it is covered?

my gfci trips when my christmas lights r on and it rains is the gfci bad or is this normal of a perfectly working gfci


Is an GFCI protected outlet required for an outdoor sewage pump?

1. Check with local regulation , authorities. Go by the local law or regulation. 2. If the application is in wet area, risk of ground fault is more, hence go for GFCI.


Getting no power from gfci outlet line?

A GFCI outlet has a TEST and RESET switch. Press reset and see if it fixes problem. If reset won't stay in that means that a ground fault condition is present and may be on another outlet that is fed from the tripped GFCI. If this isn't the problem check the main breaker feeding the GFCI and ensure it isn't tripped. If none of this works the GFCI itself may be bad. If you have a Volt Meter you can remove the outlet from the wall receptacle and make sure there is voltage present. You can also see if there is a branch circuit connected. To troubleshoot you can disconnect the branch circuit and then try reset. If you have voltage on input and GFCI won't reset with branch circuits removed, replace the GFCI.


Why and when would you use a GFCI breaker within a older home with a groun?

You need a GFCI outlet at any location that is within 6' of a water source. You also need a GFCI outlet in a room with a concrete floor, any garage, and any location outside the home or under the home in the crawl space. A GFCI outlet protects you from electrical shock near water or moisture. You can protect more than one outlet with 1 GFCI outlet. Connect the incoming power to the LINE side of the GFCI outlet and all the other outlets getting power from that outlet to the LOAD side of the GFCI outlet. That way they will all be protected by 1 GFCI. A GFCI breaker is used to protect an entire circuit and not just individual receptacles. It is often cheaper to use GFCI receptacles than a breaker, especially if "piggy-backed" such as described above. It is also more convenient to reset a GFCI receptacle than to reset a breaker. But your question is "why." From this I suspect you may be misunderstanding the difference between a breaker and GFCI protection. To keep things simple let me say that a GFCI does not work on the same principles as a standard breaker. It provides a much safer protection than a standard breaker. Even with a ground you need GFCI protection as listed above.