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Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) receptacles are also sometimes called Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets. A GFI is a safety receptacle that opens the circuit if 5 milliamps (mA) or more of the current on the power conductor is bleeding, or running, to ground and not traveling back on the neutral conductor. The electronics in the GFI monitor the current on both the power and neutral conductors for an equal load.
 | If someone comes in contact with the power from a GFI receptacle, some current may travel through his body to ground. If this current reaches 5 mA, the GFI immediately trips and the power is cut off. Although 5 mA provides a pretty hefty shock, it shouldn't be fatal. The 5-mA level is used because a healthy person can withstand a 10-mA shock for about 10 seconds and survive. |
 | Some people believe that GFIs are solely for personal protection. Just because a circuit is GFI-protected doesn't necessarily make it safe for humans. Some GFIs have higher current ratings and are designed to protect heavy electrical equipment. Be cautious: Always test GFIs before betting your life on them. |
GFI-protected receptacles are required in places with significant grounding and shock hazards. You must use GFIs in the
- Kitchen: Above-counter receptacles in kitchens must be GFI protected. The kitchen receptacles require their own circuit(s), and can have no other outlets.
- Bathroom: Bathrooms are required to have a GFI within 36 inches of the vanity. The bathroom receptacles must be GFI protected and require their own circuit(s), and can have no other outlets outside the bathroom. When a GFI receptacle is installed on the side of a vanity, position it so that it won't interfere with a large mirror or medicine cabinet.
- Basement and exterior: All basement receptacles and exterior receptacles must be GFI-protected. Finished basement areas such as family rooms do not require GFI protection for receptacles.
- Wet-bar sink: Here, the receptacles are installed for countertop use within 6 feet of the outside edge of a wet-bar sink.
- Crawl space: Receptacles at or below grade level must be GFI-protected.
- Garage, tool shed, storage area, and similar on- or below-grade structures not intended for habitation: An inaccessible receptacle, such as for a garage door opener installed in the overhead, is exempt.
A change that was introduced in the 2002 NEC (National Electric Code) is that an appliance-garage receptacle doesn't count as a counter receptacle for spacing but can be connected to the kitchen-required small-appliance circuit. An appliance garage is a section of cabinetry built between the upper and lower kitchen cabinet to conceal and park various appliances, such as a toaster or coffee maker, when not in use. Generally, you can install a quad receptacle inside the appliance garage. The appliance garage has a roll-up door. The code requires you have at least two circuits to supply the kitchen and dining room receptacle circuits. These circuits can't supply other outlets in other locations, nor can they supply lighting.
Although two duplex receptacles could be in the appliance garage, you must install a receptacle on both sides of the appliance garage within 2 feet, as shown. These receptacles must be GFI-protected.
 | Code lets you replace a two-prong receptacle with a GFI receptacle without having a ground wire present. This allows you to plug in grounded (three-prong) plugs. Installing a GFI receptacle to get a third prong doesn't give you a grounded receptacle. You only have a grounded receptacle if a continuous wire runs from the receptacle ground screw terminal to the ground bar in the service panel. If this connection isn't present, using a surge-protected outlet-strip at a receptacle without the ground wire doesn't give you surge protection. In this case you should install surge protection at the service panel to protect the whole house. |
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