It seems there are never enough electricity outlets where you need them. This is especially problematic in older houses where electrical outlets aren’t just scarce but also outdated, two-prong outlets without a grounding plug, let alone a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).
A GFCI outlet constantly monitors electricity flowing into the circuit and ensures the same amount of juice flows out to the appliance and back to the outlet. If this ratio differs, even slightly, the outlet will quickly shut off to prevent a short, shock or, worse, electrocution. I know, sounds grim, but don’t worry, installation is inexpensive and easy.
Why bother?
GFCI outlets help protect against electrical shocks and prevent fires caused by short-circuiting, making them especially useful in moisture-laden rooms such as laundry rooms, bathrooms and kitchens where the outlet might inadvertently come into contact with water. Another example: using an electric lawnmower with a frayed cord on wet grass could result in a severe shock. Also, the National Building Code requires GFCI outlets in bathrooms and other areas (check your province’s code).
Types
There are two types of GFICs designed for home use: wall-receptacle units, which look like standard outlets but also have the red Reset button and black Test button; and circuit-breaker units for homes equipped with circuit breakers (rather than fuses). With the latter, a GFIC can be installed in the electrical panel to protect an entire branch circuit, shutting down power in case of a ground fault or electrical overload.
How to install
First step with any electrical work: make certain there’s no current running through the receptacle using a tester. Shut off power to the outlet and insert the voltmeter probe into the outlet to ensure the absence of electricity.
Next, remove the old outlet and check that the wiring includes a striped green wire (the grounding wire) in addition to the white and black wires. Now remove the plate on the new outlet and connect the wires to the new outlet. Connect the wires according to the receptacle’s instructions (white wire connects to the neutral terminal; black wire to the active, brass terminal).
Once you’re certain you have the wires attached properly, replace the front plate and restore power. Verify that the outlet is working properly using the voltmeter.
Testing the outlet
All outlets are prone to wear and tear, so test your outlet every month. Don’t worry, testing takes less than a minute. Simply press the Reset button, then plug in something basic, like a nightlight or lamp, and turn it on. With the light on, press the Test button; the light should go out. Now press the Reset button and the light should go on again.
As always, if you are uncomfortable working with electricity or get stuck, call in a professional electrician to avoid any mishaps.
Canadian Home Workshop contributor Jay Somerset has been writing about home renovations and other DIY projects since 2001. He lives with his wife and cat in Toronto. Each month he will tackle a home renovation project that can be done in a weekend or less. From insulating your pipes to installing a tankless water heater to tuning your barbecue, Jay will show you how to get it done right, right away.
What sort of weekend projects would you like to tackle? Please leave a comment below.
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1 Comment
First off there are actually three types of GFCIs the two that are mentioned in the article plus one that is called a faceless GFCI. In some cases particularly in older breaker panels, there is no GFCI breakers available for some panels. In this case a faceless GFCI may be installed in a box next to the panel. Typically the circuit that is to be protected is taken out of the panel and installed into the box that will have the faceless GFCI. A new piece of cable is then run from the box back into the panel and reconnected to the breaker that had the cable removed from it. You must connect the feed from the panel to the "Line" terminals on either the faceless GFCI or the GFCI receptacle and then the other cable feeding the rest of the circuit to the "Load" terminals. If you decide to replace an existing receptacle with a GFCI one as the article states you should see a white, black and bare copper wire in the box. It will be highly unlikely that there will be a striped green wire as ground. Also in Ontario a GFCI installed in a typical box which has the dimensions of 2"W x 3"H x 2 1/2"D and have two cables coming into the box will not meet code. You must have a box that is 3"D. So in this case a faceless GFCI at the panel will solve this situation. One other note is that even if a GFCI breaker is available it is usually much more expensive than a faceless GFCI.