Our Brooklyn New York GFI Electrical Outlet Services
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GFI Outlet Commonly Asked Questions
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About GFI Electrical Outlets or “GFCIs” (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters)
Just imagine running an electric drill with bare feet outside while standing in a puddle of water. You likely already know that this is not a good idea, given that electricity takes the path of less resistance. This means that it’ll travel from the drill along the arms and legs until it reaches the puddle. If you are plugged into an ordinary outlet, you could be looking at a fatal situation.
However, this won’t be the case when taking advantage of GFI outlets. This is why the National Electrical Association has started requiring more and more people to install these outlets in their homes. A GFI is a special outlet that immediately shuts the power down to an appliance when it recognizes that power is no longer properly flowing through the circuit. And, it does this within just a millisecond, making the circuit inactive and safe.
Going back to the above scenario, you would be safe standing in a puddle with bare feet operating a drill. While this is still not an ideal situation or recommended for anyone to try at home, you’d be safe with a GFI outlet. GFI outlets look much different than that of a normal outlet and are immediately recognizable. They’ll have a reset and test button located on the outlet. The test button allows you to test the circuit and see if things are working properly, while the reset button will reset the circuit when the outlet is tripped
Unfortunately, GFI outlets do have a limited lifespan, meaning that they will eventually need to be changed out over time. Not only this, but you’ll want to check them ever so often to make sure that they are working properly. If your GFI outlets are no longer working or you are interested in getting them tested, you can give us a call. Our Brooklyn New York offices have someone standing by that we can send out to help you with these very specific situations.
GFCI Receptacle FAQs
What is a GFI outlet used for?
GFI, or GFCI, stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. This device is used to protect from electric shocks from potentials faults in the electrical devices used.
Before installing GFCI outlets in your home, you need to know more about how they work, how they are installed, and other important factors. To help jumpstart your effort, a list of FAQs is provided in the article below.
Why Can’t I Reset?
When a GFCI outlet does not reset, there is probably an internal problem. When these outlets trip, they must be reset to function. If it does not reset properly, it may be time to start thinking about a replacement.
What is a ground fault?
GFCI outlets were specifically designed to trip instead of the circuit breaker. These outlets are ideal for small and large appliances, desktop computers, floor lamps, surround sound stereo systems, and other electricity-powered devices.
Where should I install a GFCI?
GFCI outlets have shown to minimize electrical fire and other risks. If you would like to learn more about this service, we recommend contacting our Brooklyn New York location. We offer competitive pricing, same-day service, and free safety inspections. You can learn more and request a free quote by speaking to one of our GFCI installers.