why do I need a GFI? I am about to replace my GFI in my bathroom and what to my surprise, but the bathroom circuit has 20 amp load breaker in the main panel. I know what the building code says pertaining to GFI's, I just want to know why when there is already a breaker? thanks.
2007-09-10 06:42:17 · 11 answers · asked by 1001001 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
All correct. The circuit breaker protects against short circuits and over loads. They protect the wires from getting to hot and starting a fire. A GFCI will not trip just because of a overload or short. As long as the current is the same in both wires, the GFCI will allow your house to burn down. The circuit breaker will not trip unless the wires are conducting more than it's trip point. It will not care if you are getting electrocuted, as long as the current through you stays lower than it's trip current. It will keep electrocuting you forever. A GFCI compares the current on the hot wire to the current on the neutral wire. If some of that current is passing through you, it is then missing on the neutral and the GFCI opens the circuit in less than a quarter cycle to limit the amount of current passing through your body to a non lethal shock. So you need both in places where you are likely to get electrocuted. Near water, outside, and on well grounded floors like garages and basements. And it's more locations with each new version of the electric code. I hope this helps explain it.
2007-09-10 09:47:01 · answer #1 · answered by John himself 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The dedicated 20 A. circuit for the bathroom
is a code requirement. - If that breaker is
a GFI type unit no further protection is required.
If not a GFI receptacle is required.
The GFI provides an additional layer of protection
and is required in a bathroom, (a wet location
where people are particularly vulnerable to injury
by stray currents.)
The circuit breaker will not open unless a current
significantly greater than 20 A. flows for a
considerable period of time.
That's more than enough to kill you.
The GFI recognizes when current is flowing
outside of the wiring, can can interrupt that flow
at lower than harmful levels.
You DO need the GFI somewhere in the circuit
ahead of the outlet..
2007-09-10 09:13:55 · answer #2 · answered by Irv S 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
the GFI trips based on a small variation in the current running in both directions at the device. A regular breaker only trips when the current draw exceeds the rating of the breaker. Hence, the GFI acts a lot faster, and if everything is working correctly shuts off when only a small amount of current flows out the alternate (through you) path that creates the variation in current. there are some conditions underwhich a GFI won't provide protection, but its definately a lot better than not having one at all.
2007-09-10 06:57:20 · answer #3 · answered by John M 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Less than 20 bucks and a backup to the ones that come with blow dryers and curling irons. The breaker in the panel works only on heat--too much current makes it get too hot and it breaks out. Once you get zapped, the chances of the wire getting too hot before you do are not all that great!
2007-09-10 08:33:13 · answer #4 · answered by Daniel K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
GFCI.... stands for ground fault circuit interrupter.... a circuit breaker doesn't care where the electricity is going, it will only trip above a current flow of 20 amps...... a GFCI will trip with .005 amps when the current flows to ground. the ground being a person, a hair dryer that gets wet, etc.
2007-09-10 07:20:59 · answer #5 · answered by Mr. Ree 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
right now, this is a plastic international. the prospect of having an electric ask your self has been a great deal decreased. not extra copper pipes, iron radiators, water soaked wood flooring, iron bathtubs etc. substantial places a GFI is mandatory could be around aspects the place a guy or woman is available in touch with an outstanding floor, like steel or concrete. in case you employ slightly effortless experience, you are able to save your self the cost of pointless GFI's andGFCI's. opposite to three "specialists", established residing house voltages won't bounce out and git you. you ought to are available direct touch with the conductor AND a floor to get the present to flow by means of you. Did you ever ask your self why slightly fowl can sit down on a intense voltage (4,160v) twine and not get electricuted? this is because of the fact he's no longer GROUNDED! And the comparable factor is genuine for people or the different form of animal. Touching in effortless terms one conductor jointly as no longer grounded is probability unfastened. I did it many circumstances as a retired authorized ELECTRICIAN. And, i'm nevertheless alive and kicking. You "proffesionals" that scare the heck out of persons just to drum up employer, like medical doctors do, disenchanted me. You factor all DIY's stupid!
2016-12-16 16:31:51 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
(The ground fault senses a difference in the flow of current from
the hot wire through the neutral, if that difference is about 5 milliamps
or more the ground fault will trip the circuit out. It actually assumes
that if the current is not flowing in the neutral it is flowing through something else) In wet areas that could be you.
2007-09-10 07:04:16 · answer #7 · answered by petethen2 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
GFI makes you home safe. It trips so you don't die.
2007-09-14 03:58:31 · answer #8 · answered by Tess 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
breakers save equipment, gfci save lives
2007-09-10 06:54:24 · answer #9 · answered by chris h 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
it's a safety devise
2007-09-10 08:39:47 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋