Common Inspection Fail

I find the most common fail during S8 inspections are GFCI'S.

What is that you might ask?

A GFCI is an ground fault circuit interrupter. The ground-fault circuit interrupter, or GFCI, is a fast-acting circuit breaker designed to shut off electric power in the event of a ground-fault within as little as 1/40 of a second. It works by comparing the amount of current going to and returning from equipment along the circuit conductor.

What causes GFCI to trip?

If the GFCI detects a ground fault leakage of 5mA it will trip. This leakage is caused by a hot wire touching the ground somewhere on the electrical line such as an appliance or even the outlet itself. This can be caused by water, wires touching, dust or debris, etc.

Hopefully that explains the what and how, but not why they fail inspection.

• Most common reason for the fail is they aren't installed.

GFCI's are required within 6ft. of any water source. This would include but are not limited to; kitchen and bathroom sinks, toilets, showers/tubs, also outlets that are outside (which require a water tight cover as well.)

• Second most common GFCI fail is the outlet is wired incorrectly.

Just because the outlet trips when the test button is pressed and your hairdryer and Glade plug in works does not mean that it is wired correctly. I use a GFCI tester. It goes into the plug, lights up with three different lights to indicate proper wiring or improper wiring. The tester also has a trip button. This button creates a momentary short in the outlet to cause it to trip. If the outlet doesn't trip when this button is pressed there is a wiring issue or indicating a bad plug.

• Least common reason for a fail is damage.

It would be considered damage if the outlet is broken, reset or trip button isn't working, or there is evidence of the outlet having fire/electrical damage such as soot.

There are other options other that a GFCI outlet. A GFCI breaker is also a great way to resolve the missing GFCI circuit. This breaker does the same thing as the outlet just in a different location. It is located in the breaker box.

Make sure any repairs needing to be made, are done by a trained and licensed professional. Also once the repair is made that they tested with a GFCI tester to make sure it is wired and working correctly.

I hope everyone has a great summer and stays cool.