The GFCI At Work And Home Definition: GFCI = Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. The GFCI is a fast-acting circuit breaker that senses small imbalances in an electrical circuit caused by the electrical current leaking to ground. If this imbalance occurs, the GFCI shuts off the electricity within a fraction of a second. How it works: The GFCI device continually matches the amount of current going to an electrical device against the amount of current returning from the device along the electrical circuit path. Whenever the amount "going" differs from the amount "returning" by approximately 5 milliamps, the GFCI interrupts the electric power...

Portable Light Strings - Electrical Safety Follow these precautions when using portable light strings: Inspect the wiring and fixtures before stringing the lights or before they are energized or plugged in. Make sure the outer insulation is not damaged, the plug ends are intact, and the fixtures are not cracked. The light string must be grounded. Make certain the plug has a ground prong. Never cut one off. The quality of the ground must be tested frequently. A good ground could save your life if an electrical fault develops, especially when working in wet conditions or on metal structures. If a...

Assured Equipment Grounding and Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) Electric shock, and too often fatalities, occur on construction jobsites when temporary power systems are in use. All construction workers who operate power tools should receive training in the systems that safeguard them from electrical hazards. What is the difference between an "Assured Equipment Grounding Program" and GFCI? An Assured Equipment Grounding Program is a scheduled system for testing construction site electrical tools and extension cords to assure their proper grounding, polarity and resistance. A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) is equipment that serves as a circuit breaker if continuous ground continuity...

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter - GFCI Definition: GFCI = Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. The GFCI is a fast-acting circuit breaker that senses small imbalances in an electrical circuit caused by the electrical current leaking to ground. If this imbalance occurs, the GFCI shuts off the electricity within a fraction of a second. How it works: The GFCI device continually matches the amount of current going to an electrical device against the amount of current returning from the device along the electrical circuit path. Whenever the amount "going" differs from the amount "returning" by approximately 5 milliamps, the GFCI interrupts the electric power...