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A GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interruptor) or an RCD (Residual Current Device)
receptacle is designed to help prevent electrical shock to users of appliances plugged into them. The device constantly monitors the currents flowing in the hot and neutral conductors.
The currents flowing in the hot and neutral conductors should match almost exactly, to within a few milliamps. If the current flows do not match, the device disconnects itself within a few milliseconds, to stop the supply of electrical power to any receptacles it protects.
Because the device does not actually need to check for any ground current, it can be installed without a ground wire. (Unlike the earlier type of GFCI device, which only checked for the presence of some fault current flowing to ground and so needed to be connected to a properly installed ground wire.)
If there is no grounded conductor installed, a GFCI wired in this manner, and any receptacles protected by it, are each required to be clearly marked with a label saying:
"NO EQUIPMENT GROUND".
This method of changing two-wire ungrounded receptacles to three-wire grounding receptacles is allowed - even though they are not physically tied to the ground - only in a circuit which is protected by a correctly installed GFCI or RCD.
For more information about MCBs and related topics such as ELCBs, GFCIs and RCDs, see the answers to the Related Questions and the Related Link shown below this answer.
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As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.
Before you do any work yourself,
on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,
always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.
IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB
SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY
REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
not sure if a standard symbol has been designated yet The device itself is not commercially available yet
circle with a shaded in isoscles triangle of the same size (touching at the three points) and usually labeled with the NEMA designation, 4-20R, 5-30R...
A GFCI receptacle is a ground fault circuit interruptor.
For more information see the answer to the Related Question shown below.
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What is downstream in electrical?
The terminology down stream refers to an electrical circuit and where devices are connected into the circuit. In reference to the breaker that feeds the circuit everything is down stream from it. If a GFCI receptacle is added into the circuit as the first device, the GFCI can be wired to allow all of the regular receptacles to be protected down stream from that GFCI. Every device added to the circuit will be down stream from the one that is ahead of it. The only device that will not have something down stream from it will be the last device in the circuit.
Can you replace an ungrounded circuit breaker with a GFCI circuit breaker?
Yes but it's redundant and may cause unnecessary "tripping" of the circuit. The GFCI circuit breaker is intended to protect an entire receptacle circuit whereas a GFCI receptacle is designed to protect only that receptacle and any which are provided power from its load side. (downstream)
Will a ground fault interrupter work at any outlet with only 2 wires?
Yes. GFCI receptacles do not rely on a ground conductor to work. They sense any difference between current flowing in the hot wire and current returning in the neutral wire. Under normal circumstances, these two currents will be exactly the same. If there is a difference, then some of the current is flowing from the hot to somewhere else, possibly through a person to ground. This causes the GFCI to trip. The National Electric code even permits an old 2-wire receptacle with no ground wire to be replaced with a GFCI 3-prong receptacle. No ground wire is used, and the GFCI must be labeled "No Equipment Ground". See NEC Article 406.3(D)(3)(b) and (c). This is the only legal way to install a 3-prong receptacle in place of a 2-prong without running a new ground wire.
What a short hand way of drawing electrical circuits?
electrical symbol
What symbol is often used for electrical resistance?
I have never come across a symbol for an electrical resistance box. As the resistance box is a test instrument and it would not be drawn on any electrical schematic there may not be a symbol designated for it. The last letter of the Greek alphabet is (Ω omega) and it is used for the electrical symbol for resistance.
Will another electrical outlet that is in line with a GFCI outlet cause it to kick off?
A down stream receptacle that is connected to the upstream GFCI will be protected. If the downstream receptacle senses a fault the upstream GFCI will trip.
Can I install a GFCI receptacle from an existing receptacle in the basement?
Yes, there is no reason why this can not be done. In fact a benefit of this is that every receptacle downstream from this new receptacle will also be protected by the GFCI receptacle.
What might happen if the line and load connetions of a feedthrough gfci receptacle were reversed?
Most probably the receptacles downstream from the GFCI would not be protected by the GFCI receptacle.
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.
May a GFCI receptacle be installed as a receptacle in an old installation where the 2-wire circuit has no equipment grounding conductor?
Actually, yes. The GFCI does not need any ground; it measures "leakage", i.e., an imbalance, regardless of whether there is "ground". The National Electrical Code permits installing a GFCI to replace a completely ungrounded receptacle. Others have said: No. The GFCI is designed to measure an unintended path to ground. Without a good ground reference this is not possible.
Can you install an electrical switch before a gfci?
Yes, an electrical switch can be installed before a GFCI outlet in a circuit. Just ensure that the wiring is done correctly, following all safety guidelines and local electrical codes. The GFCI outlet should be properly connected to the power source and the switch should be wired to control the flow of electricity to the outlet.
What is the weight of a GFCI receptacle?
8 ozs. and will vary by mfr. for an in-wall receptacle.
If I have 20 amp GFCI receptacle and would like to add another receptacle to the GFCI Does the new plug also need to be 20 amps?
Yes.
How far do you put a GFCI from water?
How far do u put a GFCI receptacle from water
What does the term GFCI receptacle stands for?
The term GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter.
How far from a water facet must an electrical outlet be placed on an outside wall of a home?
It doesn't matter just make sure that the receptacle is of a GFCI type.
Can a hair dryer trip a gfi receptacle?
Yes, a hair dryer can trip a GFCI receptacle if there is a ground fault, electrical short, or moisture present that triggers the GFCI's safety mechanism. It is important to ensure that the hair dryer and the outlet are in good working condition to prevent tripping the GFCI.
