Info On Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters

Info On Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT Miscellaneous 30-3-41 GFCIs, or ground fault circuit interrupters, were invented to prevent people from getting electrocuted. For example, if you're taking a bath and a radio or some other electrical object falls into the tub, the GFCI is designed to trip off the power. Building codes even require electrical receptacles in a home's kitchen and bath be equipped with GFCIs. There's just one problem - GFCI's are almost totally worthless. Yes, they work just fine with a 3-wire cord and a 3-prong plug. But take a 2-wire cord with a 2-prong plug, cut off the cord, plug it into the GFCI and drop the cut end in water and watch what happens - it just fizzles. The GFCI will not trip. Check out your house. In the bathroom you might have an electric shaver, hair dryer, curling iron, radio, etc., all equipped with 2-wire cords. In the kitchen you might have an electric coffee maker, toaster, mixer, food processor, etc., again all equipped with 2-wire cords. In other words, GFCIs offer nothing more than a false sense of security. (Bob Moty, 3816 Crockett Ct., Crystal Lake, Ill. 60014

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