Electrical Safety—The Checklist : Test and Protect!

Before You Plug Into Electricity, Plug Into Electrical Safety—The Checklist

Test and Protect!—Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs)

Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs)—which protect against accidental electric shock or electrocution by acting immediately to shut off the circuit if they sense a ground fault, or “leak” of current off the circuit—have been in homes since the early 70s on circuits that come within six feet of water. Homeowners, however, should consider having GFCI protec­tion on general purpose receptacles through­out the home.

• There are outlet GFCIs protecting every­thing in that outlet and downstream on the circuit, circuit breaker GFCIs protect­ing the entire circuit, or portable GFCIs that protect just at the point of use.
  
  A GFCI-protected outlet can provide power without giving an indication that it is no lon­ger providing shock protection. Be sure your GFCI is providing protection from fatal elec­tric shock by testing it monthly and after every major electrical storm.
  
  
• You should test your GFCIs monthly and after every major electrical storm. Here’s how:
  
  
  # Push the “Reset” button of the GFCI receptacle to prepare the unit for testing.
  # Plug in a night light and turn it on. Light should be ON.
  # Push the “Test” button of the GFCI receptacle. Light should go OFF.
  # Push the “Reset” button again. Light should go ON.
  
  
  A light plugged into the GFCI receptacle should go out when the test button is pushed. If the light remains on when the button is pushed, either the GFCI is not working prop­erly or has not been correctly installed. If the “RESET” button pops out but the light does not go out, the GFCI has been damaged or was improperly wired and does not offer shock protection at that wall outlet. Contact a quali­fied electrician to correct any wiring errors or replace defective GFCIs.
  
• If you have a home without GFCIs, con­sult a qualified, licensed electrician about adding this important protection, or pur­chase plug-in units or a portable GFCI to provide individual receptacle or load pro­tection.