GFCI Outlet: How it works and how to test.

ground fault circuit interrupters or GFCIs have saved thousands of lives over the last three decades found mostly in areas where electrical products might come in contact with water such as bathrooms kitchens and outdoors a GFCI is a special type of outlet designed to cut off power before a deadly electrical shot can occur for example when you plug in an appliance like a hair dryer energy flows from the outlet to the device a GFCI monitors that amount of electricity if there's any leakage or interruption of that current such as when the hairdryer comes in contact with water the GFCI cuts power to the device in as quickly as one thirtieth of a second before a deadly shock can occur GFCIs should be tested once a month to make sure they're working properly here are a few simple steps to follow push the reset button on the GFCI to prepare for testing plug a nightlight or similar electrical device into the receptacle the light should turn on push the test button the nightlight should go off complete the test by pushing the reset button again the nightlight should turn on if the nightlight does not turn off when the test button is pushed then the GFCI may be improperly installed or damaged and does not offer shock protection contact a licensed electrician to check the GFCI and correct the problem

Channel: MyMisterSparky

Views: 449,904

Keywords: electrician, electricians, mister sparky, outlet, gfci, plug

Id: Vkd43t2y2to

Length: 1min 36sec (96 seconds)

Published: Thu Jan 21 2010