| GFCI Outlet |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-405 |
|
|
|
advertisement
|
Q: I have an older home, and a friend told me I should replace my bathroom outlet with a GFCI outlet. What is this, and why should I install it? A: (James Young, Ask DIY Electrical expert) GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, and it means an outlet that can prevent against electrical shock in wet locations such as bathrooms, kitchens and outdoor areas. Here's how it works: Say you're standing in front of the bathroom sink, using a blow dryer, and you drop the appliance into the sink, which is full of water. With a regular outlet, the dryer may just keep running, and if you touch the water (or any that has splashed out), you may get a bad -- even fatal -- shock. With a GFCI outlet, the power will automatically turn off, thus saving you from serious injury or death. So you see why this type of outlet is so important. A GFCI has two buttons (figure A): a test button and a reset button. To test the unit (which you should remember to do periodically), plug in an appliance such as a hair dryer and turn it on. While it's running, press the test button. The dryer should stop. Once you've ascertained that the GFCI is working correctly, unplug the dryer and press the reset button. Installing a GFCI is a job that a do-it-yourselfer can accomplish in a fairly short time, but remember to use extreme caution when working with electricity. - Turn off the power to the circuit you'll be working on. Over the breaker, place a strip of tape with Do not touch written on it; it's also not a bad idea to place a similar sign on the front of the breaker box (figure B).
- Use a tester to make sure the power to the outlet is indeed turned off (figure C).
- Remove the screws holding the cover plate and take the plate off. Then test the outlet again -- and be sure to use the tester to probe all around the box to make sure there's no "juice" at all (figure D).
- Remove the mounting screw and take the outlet from the wall.
- Remove the wires from the outlet in the following order: Starting with the black (hot) wire, loosen the screw that holds it by turning it counterclockwise (figure E). Then do the same to remove the white (neutral) wire and lastly, the ground wire.
- Straighten out the neutral and ground wires and strip about 1/2" from the end of each (figure F). Leave the hot wire as is.
- To attach the GFCI, start with the ground wire. Attach it to the green screw by forming a hook on the end of the wire, hooking it around the screw and tightening it, turning the screw clockwise (figure G).
- Note that the GFCI receptacle has two holes in the back; this is called a stab-in receptacle. Starting with the neutral wire, push the end of it into the hole on the side with the silver screw (figure H). Tighten the screw to hold the wire.
- Repeat with the hot wire, attaching it through the hole on the side with the brass-colored screw. Tighten the screw.
- Gently push the wires back into the box, then line up the mounting screw with the corresponding hole and tighten (figure H).
- Replace the cover plate.
Remember: If you have any questions or fears about working with electricity, call a licensed electrician. This type of work can be very dangerous, and there's no use risking your life just to save a little money!
| 
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
