GFCI

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Revision as of 23:04, 7 October 2019 by Marcin (talk | contribs) (→‎Notes)
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HintLightbulb.png Hint: Do not listen to this information as it may be incorrect or misleading, and the topic covered relates to electrical safety. There is a risk of personal injury or death if one does not understand what they are doing with electricity

Notes

  • Note that a GFCI does NOT protect against overcurrent or overload. Thus, a device that uses a GFCI must have a circuit breaker upstream of it to prevent overload or fire hazard.

Data Collection

I just got shocked from a functioning GFCI, so this is a real data point. I tested the GFCI with the test button. It works. Then I touched a part (3D Printer heat bed) that had a frayed wire (not intentionally). I think what happened was that I got no shock when touching with one hand, but then I touched it with my second hand on another part of the 3D Printer bed - which I am led to believe closed the circuit to a return wire. The GFCI did not trip. I don't fully understand what exactly happened, but this answer is consistent with me closing the circuit, so there was no leakage to ground. I think if the device were grounded, a breaker would have tripped, so it looks like grounding a GFCI-protected device is a good idea.

Sourcing

GFCI Plug (Needs to be Wired at 1 End)

GFCI Adapter (Standard Male and Female Plug Ends)

Links