If it is properly installed and maintained, this will happen as soon as the faulty tool is plugged in. If the grounding conductor is not intact or of low-impedance , the GFCI may not trip until a person provides a path. In this case, the person will receive a shock, but the GFCI should trip so quickly that the shock will not be harmful. The GFCI will not protect you from line contact hazards i. However, it protects against the most common form of electrical shock hazard, the ground-fault.
It also protects against fires, overheating, and destruction of wire insulation. Such devices are becoming popular because of their low cost. The GFCI reacts quickly less than one-tenth of a second to trip or shut off the circuit. There are three types of GFCIs.
Additionally, circuit breaker GFCIs are often used as replacements for standard circuit breakers and provide GFCI protection to all receptacles on that individual circuit. Temporary or portable GFCIs are frequently used in construction and in outdoor settings with electric tools, mowers, trimmers, and similar devices. They should not be used as a permanent alternative to a regular GFCI. Temporary GFCIs should be tested prior to every use.
GFCIs are electronic devices that can be damaged or wear out. If this is the case, have a qualified electrician replace it as soon as possible. GFCIs should be tested monthly to ensure they are in working condition. Remember to reset the handle to re-establish power and protection. GFCIs should be checked monthly to determine if they are operating properly. A portable GFCI should be used out-of-doors with various electrical power tools i. A DIYer with basic knowledge of electrical wiring may be able to replace an existing outlet with a GFCI outlet instructions below , but only when swapping out a three-prong outlet—two plugin slots and a hole.
Outlets with only two slots and no third hole indicate the presence of older wiring that should only be replaced by a licensed electrician. The other caveat is that only outlets connected to three wires are suitable for DIY replacement. Outlets with three attached wires remove the outlet plate to determine the number of attached wires indicate that the outlet is located at the end of an electrical circuit a wiring loop that starts and finishes at the breaker panel.
An outlet with five attached wires is located in the middle of an electric circuit, and the wiring process is more complicated—only a licensed electrician should replace those outlets. Replacing an existing outlet at the end of a circuit as explained above is not particularly difficult, but the task requires some experience.
You should understand how outlets are wired and how electrical current travels from the breaker panel through each electrical circuit wiring loop in your home. Some communities prohibit homeowners from doing their own wiring, so check with your local building authority before you start.
Shut off the power to the outlet by turning off the circuit breaker at the breaker panel that provides electricity to the outlet. A good way to ensure that the power is off is to plug a nightlight into the outlet and turn it on, then shut off the breaker. Remove the outlet cover with a flat screwdriver.
Remove the old outlet from the outlet box using a Phillips screwdriver. The outlet is typically held in place by two screws at the top and two at the bottom. When the screws are removed, the outlet will hang freely—the only things holding it are the attached wires.
Remove the three attached wires, which are held in place with Phillips screws.
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