Principles of Operation:

"The GFCI sensing system continuously monitors the current balance in the ungrounded 'hot' conductor and the neutral conductor. If the current in the neutral wire becomes less than the current in the 'hot' wire, a ground fault could exist. A portion of the current returns to the supply by some path other than the neutral wire. With a current imbalance as low as 6 milliamperes, the GFCI will interrupt the circuit and this will be shown by a trip or 'off' indicator on the device."

"The GFCI does not limit the magnitude of the ground-fault current. It limits the time that a current of given magnitude can flow. The trip level-time combinations are based on physiological data established for avoiding injury to normal healthy persons."

Where Are They Required in a Dwelling Unit?

• Bathrooms adjacent to the sink area
• Garages and grade level portion of unfinished accessory buildings or work areas
• Outdoors at grade level or accessible. Accessible/ Able to walk up to or reach without a ladder
• Crawl spaces (where mechanical equipment is located)
• Unfinished basements (only one is required)
• All kitchen counter top level devices
• Wet bars within 6' of the sink (counter top level devices).
• When you change an existing outlet in any of the above listed locations.

How to Obtain GFCI Protection:

• Ground fault sensing receptacles
• Ground fault sensing circuit breaker