What is a GFI receptacle?and why does it look different?

Answer 1

Ground fault interrupters are designed to protect from electrical shock by interrupting a household circuit when there is a difference in the currents in the "hot" and neutral wires. Such a difference indicates that an abnormal diversion of current from the "hot" wire is occuring. Such a current might be flowing in the ground wire, such as a leakage current from a motor or from capacitors. More importantly, that current diversion may be occuring because a person has come into contact with the "hot" wire and is being shocked. When a circuit is functioning normally, all the return current from an appliance flows through the neutral wire, so the presence of a difference between "hot" and neutral currents represents a malfunction which in some circumstances could produce a dangerous or even lethal shock hazard.

GFI's are required by the electrical code for receptacles in bathrooms, some kitchen receptacles, some outside receptacles, and receptacles near swimming pools. The horror story scenarios which led to these code requirements are things like dropping a hair dryer or a portable radio into a bathtub with a person, causing electrocution. A typical circuit breaker interrupts the ciruit at 20 amperes, but it takes only about 100 milliamperes to electrocute a person in such a scenario. The GFI is designed to detect currents of a few milliamperes and trip a breaker at the receptacle or at the breaker panel to remove the shock hazard

Answer 2

GFI stands for Ground Fault Interrupter. it's basic purpose is to keep you from getting electrocuted. it looks different for a couple of reasons, it has the test and reset buttons normal receptacles do not have. they are often wired so that they also control other outlets nearby that are on the same circuit. they are required to be used near any water source. or at least the outlets near the water source must be protected by one. another reason they look different is intentional, so you can find the one that controls a circuit.

Answer 3

Also known as GFCI. These other answers are good. As the user, you should be aware of a two other things about these interrupters. They have a built in circuit breaker. If the internal breaker pops, you have to press the tiny reset switch to re-power the receptacle.

The other thing is that any receptacles down-stream from the GFCI are also GFCI protected. If power gos out to a receptacle downstream, users often check the main breaker box only to discover all breakers are on. They fail to check the internal breaker on the GFCI.

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Answer 4

a gfi [ground fault interrupter]is used around wet or damp areas.if hooked up properly it is intended to save u from a deadly shock.basically what happens is the currant flowing from the circuit box thru the outlets and back to the circuit box needs to be balanced .if for example u drop a hair dryer in a sink full of water the gfi will trip in about one twentieth of a second .saving u from a shocking experience..u schold hit the test button every now and then .to make sure its working properly

Answer 5

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