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Jim-Poncin
 
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Default Ground Fault Interrupter question

I apparently ruined the ground fault interrupter outlet in the garage when I
was trying to fix something. The thing has been a pain in the ass. I plan to
replace it with a regular non-gfi wall outlet.

Any major reason not to? I know enough not to grab hot wires.

Thanks



  #2   Report Post  
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Gideon
 
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Default Ground Fault Interrupter question


Jim-Poncin wrote:
I apparently ruined the ground fault interrupter outlet in the garage when I
was trying to fix something. The thing has been a pain in the ass. I plan to
replace it with a regular non-gfi wall outlet.

Any major reason not to?

====================

Nope. Those GFCIs are a ripoff and really not needed.
Just like paying insurance premiums, bi-annual visits to
the dentist, annual physical exams, driver's education
classes, safety settings on weapons and washing your
hands before eating.

I'd go into more detail, but I'm in the middle of removing
the nose guard safety springs on all of my nail guns.


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Rick
 
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Default Ground Fault Interrupter question


"Jim-Poncin" wrote in message
ink.net...
I apparently ruined the ground fault interrupter outlet in the garage when I
was trying to fix something. The thing has been a pain in the ass. I plan to
replace it with a regular non-gfi wall outlet.

Any major reason not to? I know enough not to grab hot wires.

Thanks



For starters, it's a code requirement (210-8(a)(2) if the outlet is accessible

You may know enough not to grab hot wires, but do you inspect each cord and power tool
before you plug it in every time you use them? Saw a training film on accidental
electrocution years ago. A mom was making a video of her kid using a shop vac to clean his
car. It had a fault, he's dead.


I guess it depends on valuable your (or someone else's) life is...


  #4   Report Post  
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RBM
 
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Default Ground Fault Interrupter question

A properly grounded outlet is pretty safe. GFCI protection offers more
protection against equipment malfunction, especially in wet environments


"Jim-Poncin" wrote in message
ink.net...
I apparently ruined the ground fault interrupter outlet in the garage when
I was trying to fix something. The thing has been a pain in the ass. I plan
to replace it with a regular non-gfi wall outlet.

Any major reason not to? I know enough not to grab hot wires.

Thanks





  #5   Report Post  
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RBM
 
Posts: n/a
Default Ground Fault Interrupter question

It's also possible the "problems" you have had are caused by the very thing
that GFCI's protect against



"RBM" rbm2(remove wrote in message
...
A properly grounded outlet is pretty safe. GFCI protection offers more
protection against equipment malfunction, especially in wet environments


"Jim-Poncin" wrote in message
ink.net...
I apparently ruined the ground fault interrupter outlet in the garage when
I was trying to fix something. The thing has been a pain in the ass. I
plan to replace it with a regular non-gfi wall outlet.

Any major reason not to? I know enough not to grab hot wires.

Thanks









  #6   Report Post  
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Bob
 
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Default Ground Fault Interrupter question

Does that mean that every outlet should be GFCI?

"Rick" wrote in message
news

"Jim-Poncin" wrote in message
ink.net...
I apparently ruined the ground fault interrupter outlet in the garage

when I
was trying to fix something. The thing has been a pain in the ass. I

plan to
replace it with a regular non-gfi wall outlet.

Any major reason not to? I know enough not to grab hot wires.

Thanks



For starters, it's a code requirement (210-8(a)(2) if the outlet is

accessible

You may know enough not to grab hot wires, but do you inspect each cord

and power tool
before you plug it in every time you use them? Saw a training film on

accidental
electrocution years ago. A mom was making a video of her kid using a shop

vac to clean his
car. It had a fault, he's dead.


I guess it depends on valuable your (or someone else's) life is...




  #7   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
Gideon
 
Posts: n/a
Default Ground Fault Interrupter question


Bob wrote:
Does that mean that every outlet should be GFCI?

=============

It means that the outlets in the most dangerous
locations should be GFCI.



  #9   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
JimR
 
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Default Ground Fault Interrupter question


"Gideon" wrote in message
. ..

Bob wrote:
Does that mean that every outlet should be GFCI?

=============

It means that the outlets in the most dangerous
locations should be GFCI.

Actually, only the first outlet in a circuit needs a GFCI. All of the
outlets downstream will also be protected.

Side note: one time while putting in a basement renovation, I managed to cut
through the Romex which was a part of the circuit into which I was plugged.
Protected by a GFCI, the only thing that happened is that the GFCI tripped
and the tool died. Without a GFCI, I could have wound up as part of a 120V
circuit --


  #10   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
Tony Hwang
 
Posts: n/a
Default Ground Fault Interrupter question

Gideon wrote:

Jim-Poncin wrote:
I apparently ruined the ground fault interrupter outlet in the garage when I
was trying to fix something. The thing has been a pain in the ass. I plan to
replace it with a regular non-gfi wall outlet.

Any major reason not to?

====================

Nope. Those GFCIs are a ripoff and really not needed.
Just like paying insurance premiums, bi-annual visits to
the dentist, annual physical exams, driver's education
classes, safety settings on weapons and washing your
hands before eating.

I'd go into more detail, but I'm in the middle of removing
the nose guard safety springs on all of my nail guns.


Hi,
I am laughing.


  #11   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
Tony Hwang
 
Posts: n/a
Default Ground Fault Interrupter question

Jim-Poncin wrote:

I apparently ruined the ground fault interrupter outlet in the garage when I
was trying to fix something. The thing has been a pain in the ass. I plan to
replace it with a regular non-gfi wall outlet.

Any major reason not to? I know enough not to grab hot wires.

Thanks



Hi,
You are alive today because GFCI died for you, LOL
  #12   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
SQLit
 
Posts: n/a
Default Ground Fault Interrupter question


"Gideon" wrote in message
news

Jim-Poncin wrote:
I apparently ruined the ground fault interrupter outlet in the garage when
I
was trying to fix something. The thing has been a pain in the ass. I plan

to
replace it with a regular non-gfi wall outlet.

Any major reason not to?

====================

Nope. Those GFCIs are a ripoff and really not needed.
Just like paying insurance premiums, bi-annual visits to
the dentist, annual physical exams, driver's education
classes, safety settings on weapons and washing your
hands before eating.

I'd go into more detail, but I'm in the middle of removing
the nose guard safety springs on all of my nail guns.



Excellent response.
Do you suppose that he caught the sarcasm?





  #13   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
 
Posts: n/a
Default Ground Fault Interrupter question

when you go to sell your home it will have to be replaced. they are
cheap and add much safety, install a new one now

  #14   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
Mark Lloyd
 
Posts: n/a
Default Ground Fault Interrupter question

On Sun, 29 Jan 2006 23:07:15 GMT, "Gideon" wrote:


Jim-Poncin wrote:
I apparently ruined the ground fault interrupter outlet in the garage when I
was trying to fix something. The thing has been a pain in the ass. I plan to
replace it with a regular non-gfi wall outlet.

Any major reason not to?

====================

Nope. Those GFCIs are a ripoff and really not needed.
Just like paying insurance premiums, bi-annual visits to
the dentist, annual physical exams, driver's education
classes, safety settings on weapons and washing your
hands before eating.

I'd go into more detail, but I'm in the middle of removing
the nose guard safety springs on all of my nail guns.


I had a GFCI in my kitchen that failed with a loud buzzing sound. It
had attracted a boxfull of ants, ant eggs, and ant feces.
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what
to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb
contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin
  #15   Report Post  
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mm
 
Posts: n/a
Default Ground Fault Interrupter question

On Mon, 30 Jan 2006 00:24:19 GMT, "JimR" wrote:


"Gideon" wrote in message
...

Bob wrote:
Does that mean that every outlet should be GFCI?

=============

It means that the outlets in the most dangerous
locations should be GFCI.

Actually, only the first outlet in a circuit needs a GFCI. All of the
outlets downstream will also be protected.


So should the first outlet in every circuit have a GFCI?

What about the ceiling and wall fixtures?

Is there a difference between GFI and GFCI.

Side note: one time while putting in a basement renovation, I managed to cut
through the Romex which was a part of the circuit into which I was plugged.
Protected by a GFCI, the only thing that happened is that the GFCI tripped
and the tool died. Without a GFCI, I could have wound up as part of a 120V
circuit --



Remove NOPSAM to email me. Please let
me know if you have posted also.


  #16   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
hah
 
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Default Ground Fault Interrupter question

On Mon, 30 Jan 2006 00:24:19 GMT, "JimR" wrote:


"Gideon" wrote in message
...

Bob wrote:
Does that mean that every outlet should be GFCI?

=============

It means that the outlets in the most dangerous
locations should be GFCI.

Actually, only the first outlet in a circuit needs a GFCI. All of the
outlets downstream will also be protected.


Be sure to include the outlet your refrigerator is plugged into. The
smell of rotting food means you're protected.

Side note: one time while putting in a basement renovation, I managed to cut
through the Romex which was a part of the circuit into which I was plugged.
Protected by a GFCI, the only thing that happened is that the GFCI tripped
and the tool died. Without a GFCI, I could have wound up as part of a 120V
circuit --

  #19   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
George E. Cawthon
 
Posts: n/a
Default Ground Fault Interrupter question

Rick wrote:
"Jim-Poncin" wrote in message
ink.net...

I apparently ruined the ground fault interrupter outlet in the garage when I
was trying to fix something. The thing has been a pain in the ass. I plan to
replace it with a regular non-gfi wall outlet.

Any major reason not to? I know enough not to grab hot wires.

Thanks




For starters, it's a code requirement (210-8(a)(2) if the outlet is accessible

You may know enough not to grab hot wires, but do you inspect each cord and power tool
before you plug it in every time you use them? Saw a training film on accidental
electrocution years ago. A mom was making a video of her kid using a shop vac to clean his
car. It had a fault, he's dead.


I guess it depends on valuable your (or someone else's) life is...


You and Gideon ought to get together and make
half-way reasonable statement.
  #20   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
George E. Cawthon
 
Posts: n/a
Default Ground Fault Interrupter question

George E. Cawthon wrote:
Rick wrote:

"Jim-Poncin" wrote in message
ink.net...

I apparently ruined the ground fault interrupter outlet in the garage
when I
was trying to fix something. The thing has been a pain in the ass. I
plan to
replace it with a regular non-gfi wall outlet.

Any major reason not to? I know enough not to grab hot wires.

Thanks





For starters, it's a code requirement (210-8(a)(2) if the outlet is
accessible

You may know enough not to grab hot wires, but do you inspect each
cord and power tool
before you plug it in every time you use them? Saw a training film on
accidental
electrocution years ago. A mom was making a video of her kid using a
shop vac to clean his
car. It had a fault, he's dead.


I guess it depends on valuable your (or someone else's) life is...


You and Gideon ought to get together and make half-way reasonable
statement.

Oops that was supposed to be get together with Rick.


  #21   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
George E. Cawthon
 
Posts: n/a
Default Ground Fault Interrupter question

George E. Cawthon wrote:
Rick wrote:

"Jim-Poncin" wrote in message
ink.net...

I apparently ruined the ground fault interrupter outlet in the garage
when I
was trying to fix something. The thing has been a pain in the ass. I
plan to
replace it with a regular non-gfi wall outlet.

Any major reason not to? I know enough not to grab hot wires.

Thanks





For starters, it's a code requirement (210-8(a)(2) if the outlet is
accessible

You may know enough not to grab hot wires, but do you inspect each
cord and power tool
before you plug it in every time you use them? Saw a training film on
accidental
electrocution years ago. A mom was making a video of her kid using a
shop vac to clean his
car. It had a fault, he's dead.


I guess it depends on valuable your (or someone else's) life is...


You and Gideon ought to get together and make half-way reasonable
statement.


I give can get it right so I'll quit and blame it
on the terrible cold I've got. I think is a lack
of GFCI in my brain.
  #22   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
Bud--
 
Posts: n/a
Default Ground Fault Interrupter question

mm wrote:
On Mon, 30 Jan 2006 00:24:19 GMT, "JimR" wrote:


"Gideon" wrote in message
m...

Bob wrote:
Does that mean that every outlet should be GFCI?

=============

It means that the outlets in the most dangerous
locations should be GFCI.


Actually, only the first outlet in a circuit needs a GFCI. All of the
outlets downstream will also be protected.



So should the first outlet in every circuit have a GFCI?

Only required for receptacles in "dangerous locations" (generally
outside, garage, basement, kitchen). To state the obvious, the circuit
downstream from the GFCI has to be wired to the load side of the GFCI.

What about the ceiling and wall fixtures?

Only required for receptacles. Also some pool lites.

Is there a difference between GFI and GFCI.

IIRC they all used to be called GFIs. I believe now GFIs trip on 30 mA
ground fault (for equipment protection) and GFCIs trip on 5 mA (to
protect people).

For your amusement plug connnected refrigerators/freezers in commercial
kitchens have to be protected by GFCIs. The argument is properly
operating refrigerators won't trip a GFCI and people have been
shocked/electrocuted? by refrigerators.

bud--
  #23   Report Post  
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Rick
 
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Default Ground Fault Interrupter question


"George E. Cawthon" wrote in message
...
George E. Cawthon wrote:
Rick wrote:

"Jim-Poncin" wrote in message
ink.net...

I apparently ruined the ground fault interrupter outlet in the garage
when I
was trying to fix something. The thing has been a pain in the ass. I
plan to
replace it with a regular non-gfi wall outlet.

Any major reason not to? I know enough not to grab hot wires.

Thanks




For starters, it's a code requirement (210-8(a)(2) if the outlet is
accessible

You may know enough not to grab hot wires, but do you inspect each
cord and power tool
before you plug it in every time you use them? Saw a training film on
accidental
electrocution years ago. A mom was making a video of her kid using a
shop vac to clean his
car. It had a fault, he's dead.


I guess it depends on valuable your (or someone else's) life is...


You and Gideon ought to get together and make half-way reasonable
statement.


I give can get it right so I'll quit and blame it
on the terrible cold I've got. I think is a lack
of GFCI in my brain.


Not sure what you're trying to say either, but read the original post. The guy has
problems with the GFCI and apparently ruined it while trying to "fix" something. In his
case, I think a GFCI would be a good idea...



  #24   Report Post  
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Chris Lewis
 
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Default Ground Fault Interrupter question

According to Bud-- :
IIRC they all used to be called GFIs. I believe now GFIs trip on 30 mA
ground fault (for equipment protection) and GFCIs trip on 5 mA (to
protect people).


GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter) is the same thing as GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit
(or Current) Interrupter). Just slightly different acronym.

GFI/GFCIs trip at 5ma. AFCIs (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters) trip on
arc detection _and_ have a ground fault function at around 30ma.

For your amusement plug connnected refrigerators/freezers in commercial
kitchens have to be protected by GFCIs. The argument is properly
operating refrigerators won't trip a GFCI and people have been
shocked/electrocuted? by refrigerators.


I would imagine so. Large units, heavy duty electrics, usually metal
casings.
--
Chris Lewis, Una confibula non set est
It's not just anyone who gets a Starship Cruiser class named after them.
  #25   Report Post  
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someone
 
Posts: n/a
Default Ground Fault Interrupter question

On Sun, 29 Jan 2006 23:07:15 GMT, "Gideon" wrote:


Jim-Poncin wrote:
I apparently ruined the ground fault interrupter outlet in the garage when I
was trying to fix something. The thing has been a pain in the ass. I plan to
replace it with a regular non-gfi wall outlet.

Any major reason not to?

====================

Nope. Those GFCIs are a ripoff and really not needed.
Just like paying insurance premiums, bi-annual visits to
the dentist, annual physical exams, driver's education
classes, safety settings on weapons and washing your
hands before eating.

I'd go into more detail, but I'm in the middle of removing
the nose guard safety springs on all of my nail guns.


And I'm cutting off all the extraneous (ground) prongs on electrical
cords, and thinking about how much cheaper a house will be without all
those ground wires and the annoying circuit breakers.

&&&&

Sorry about the following irrelevancy, but it needed saying anyway...

Dusty knew it was a sin to eat meat on Friday, so he had a green salad
instead.

Dusty got a bad stomach ache because of some spoiled lettuce, and went
to a hospital. His condition got much worse, despite the half-hourly
praying. He got to go home after 4 agonizing months, sometimes so bad
he had trouble hearing the prayers.

On the way home, he met a woman (also Catholic) on the street, and
really couldn't control the urge to have immediate sex. Both believed
any sort of protection here was a sin, so Dusty got a bad case of
AIDS.

After 8 more agonizing months in the hospital (should have been much
less, but this is a Catholic hospital and they don't believe in
euthanasia), the AIDS had caused enough brain damage to make Dusty a
mental vegetable.

Death took another year, despite the now-constant prayers. He had an
extremely expensive funeral paid for by donations from around the
world, which no one enjoyed.

As to the possible existence of Heaven, remember there is nothing left
of Dusty at this point.

Meanwhile, Buddy ate a hot dog and lived a long and happy life.


  #26   Report Post  
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Bud--
 
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Default Ground Fault Interrupter question

Chris Lewis wrote:

According to Bud-- :

IIRC they all used to be called GFIs. I believe now GFIs trip on 30 mA
ground fault (for equipment protection) and GFCIs trip on 5 mA (to
protect people).



GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter) is the same thing as GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit
(or Current) Interrupter). Just slightly different acronym.

GFI/GFCIs trip at 5ma. AFCIs (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters) trip on
arc detection _and_ have a ground fault function at around 30ma.


I found the reference for what I said. It is from Mike Holt at:
http://www.mikeholt.com/mojonewsarch...s~20030301.htm

bud--
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Posted to alt.home.repair
Jim-Poncin
 
Posts: n/a
Default Ground Fault Interrupter question


"JimR" wrote in message
nk.net...

"Gideon" wrote in message
. ..

Bob wrote:
Does that mean that every outlet should be GFCI?

=============

It means that the outlets in the most dangerous
locations should be GFCI.

Actually, only the first outlet in a circuit needs a GFCI. All of the
outlets downstream will also be protected.

Side note: one time while putting in a basement renovation, I managed to
cut through the Romex which was a part of the circuit into which I was
plugged. Protected by a GFCI, the only thing that happened is that the
GFCI tripped and the tool died. Without a GFCI, I could have wound up as
part of a 120V circuit --


In replacing the defective garage GFCI, I got zapped. I switched the circuit
breaker marked for the garage outlets off. Started taking the old outlet out
and got zapped. It didn't injure me, but obviously I didn't enjoy it.

I used my hot light to test which circuit breaker actually broke the
circuit - it was marked for smoke detectors.
The moral of this story is get a hot light and use it before trusting what
the electrician marked up on the breaker box.





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Mark Lloyd
 
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Default Ground Fault Interrupter question

On Tue, 31 Jan 2006 16:36:29 GMT, "Jim-Poncin"
wrote:


"JimR" wrote in message
ink.net...

"Gideon" wrote in message
. ..

Bob wrote:
Does that mean that every outlet should be GFCI?

=============

It means that the outlets in the most dangerous
locations should be GFCI.

Actually, only the first outlet in a circuit needs a GFCI. All of the
outlets downstream will also be protected.

Side note: one time while putting in a basement renovation, I managed to
cut through the Romex which was a part of the circuit into which I was
plugged. Protected by a GFCI, the only thing that happened is that the
GFCI tripped and the tool died. Without a GFCI, I could have wound up as
part of a 120V circuit --


In replacing the defective garage GFCI, I got zapped. I switched the circuit
breaker marked for the garage outlets off. Started taking the old outlet out
and got zapped. It didn't injure me, but obviously I didn't enjoy it.

I used my hot light to test which circuit breaker actually broke the
circuit - it was marked for smoke detectors.
The moral of this story is get a hot light and use it before trusting what
the electrician marked up on the breaker box.





Or do your own marking. That's something I always do when moving in
somewhere.

BTW, most panels were insufficiently marked, such as "plugs" (where?)
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what
to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb
contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin
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