I had some remodeling done in my bathroom. The workers installed a new electrical outlet. A friend of mine who used to work in construction says that the outlet is required to have a reset button because it is in a bathroom. Is this correct? There is no reset button on the new outlet. Can the construction company be fined for not working to code?
2007-11-24 14:04:57 · 11 answers · asked by mismicma 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
That is the only outlet in the bathroom. It is right beside the sink.
2007-11-24 14:16:07 · update #1
This company has done so many things wrong so far...I am pretty sure they didn't spend any of my money for anything I wouldn't be able to see.
2007-11-24 14:19:07 · update #2
The house was built in 1937. Most of the outlets in the house are two prong without the ground.
2007-11-24 14:29:06 · update #3
i don't know about the fines, but any electrical work has to be done to current codes. no joke, a GFCI outlet should be installed anywhere there is a chance of water, around kitchen counters, bathrooms, laundry sinks, etc... a GFCI has a ground fault interupter, a reset button, this stops any current from shocking anyone instantly. i would just ask the company to install the proper outlet, a regular outlet is about $3, a GFCI outlet is about $12, that's probably the reason.
2007-11-24 14:43:26 · answer #1 · answered by jpflkeys 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're in a Grey area here. Most communities have a code that you should follow, however what you do in your own house is pretty much carte blanch because no one is in there to watch you. If a reputable contractor or handyman does the work he should be responsible to do it correctly. Any outlet near a water source should have a GFCI outlet. These do have a test and reset button. There could be a GFCI breaker but it's not likely because they are much more expensive. Good luck.
2007-11-24 14:17:37 · answer #2 · answered by Herb W 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The code actually gives some leeway in the case of remodeling work.
How old is your house? Are your circuits even grounded? It is not that long ago that outlets were not grounded. And (but I could be wrong on that one and I'm sure someone else will correct me) a GFIC will not do anything if there is no ground.
Other than that, as others have pointed out, the GFIC could be either in the panel or in the same circuit but in an outlet closer to the panel.
2007-11-24 14:26:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Codes differ by locale. For safety's sake, it is always best to have a GFCI circuit any place where water may be in contact. Call the contractor back immediately, he may not know the workers put the wrong one in. Insist on a GFCI there. If no response, contact your local inspectors for code assistance.
From Wiki "A residual current device (RCD), or residual current circuit breaker (RCCB), is an electrical wiring device that disconnects a circuit whenever it detects that the flow of current is not balanced between the phase ("hot") conductor and the neutral conductor. The presumption is that such an imbalance may represent current leakage through the body of a person who is grounded and accidentally touching the energized part of the circuit. A shock, possibly lethal, is likely to result from these conditions; RCDs are designed to disconnect quickly enough to prevent such shocks.
In the United States and Canada, a residual current device is also known as a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) or an appliance leakage current interrupter (ALCI)."
2007-11-24 14:18:56 · answer #4 · answered by terrellfastball 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. This bathroom outlet MUST BE A GFI. Also, it's easy and very inexpensive for you to upgrade from two to three prong outlets in your home. In your current wiring there's a black and a white wire to the existing 2 prong outlet. Now, remove the old outlet, wire the new three prong just like the two prong was and add a tail (wire) from the white wire to the grounding screw there on the new three prong outlet and you're upgraded . . . it's that simple.
If you're still holding money on this job keep it and fire this construction company. And for you and eveyone else reading this . . . ALWAYS hold 10-20% retention on work you're having done for 30 to 90 days (depending on the amount and scope(s) of work you're having done). This ensures your builder/contractor/tradesmen will return to correct any deficiencies; or it allows you to afford with their money the hiring of another to remedy or finish their works.
Mike Lonergan
TradesProfessional, Inc.
http://www.tradesprofessional.com
2007-11-24 19:09:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Its possible you have a GFCI breaker in the panel.If that is the case you will not have a GFCI outlet in the bath with a reset button.If not call the guy back out to change the outlet to bring it up to code.
2007-11-24 14:11:48 · answer #6 · answered by snowman 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It may be hooked in series with another GFCI receptacle (one with the reset button). Are there any other GFCI's in the room? How close is it to a water source? It used to be anything within 30 inches of a water source had to be a GFCI. That may be changed by now, I'd have to look in my code-book to see. I always put them in the entire kitchen and bath. I would guess that there is another receptacle with a reset and they are tied together. This way you only have one actual reset button.
2007-11-24 14:14:54 · answer #7 · answered by Jay H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Crock pot something. Maybe some pulled pork. That way they can just dish up whenever they want for different break times. 5 guys on a work site together while the owners are gone probably means they'll supply their own tossed salads.
2016-04-05 07:40:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Up to code it should have a reset button, same with kitchen outlets .
2007-11-24 14:07:43 · answer #9 · answered by judy_derr38565 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It could be possible that they installed a ground fault breaker, at the panel, and this would still meet code.
2007-11-24 14:13:45 · answer #10 · answered by Parercut Faint 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋