Why You Need a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter in Your Home
Before we explain to you why you need a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter or simply called a GFCI in your home, allow me to first tell you what it is all about.
A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter as termed in our country, in the US and in Canada, it is also known as Residual-Current Device (RCD), Residual-Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB) in European countries and Safety-Switches in Australia. What makes it different from other receptacles is that in the event of a ground fault, it will trip and quickly stop the flow of electricity to prevent serious accidents, injuries, burns and other damages. Be reminded however, that a GFCI does not protect you from over voltage. But in the case of an ordinary outlet, the electricity flows in a normal safe path, allowing electricity to pass through a person’s body to reach the ground. This as you know is very dangerous and can cause serious problems including death.
Basically the function of a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) tells you already why you should have it at home. It will ultimately save you from all the trauma and unnecessary losses you may experience compared to an ordinary outlet.
It will protect your whole household from the following scenarios causing the aforementioned:
• The careless acts of holding electronic/electrical devices when hands are wet (i.e. shavers, hair dryers, mp3 players, radios, etc.
• Cut or broken wires during usage of kitchen appliances.
• On-going operation of washing machines and other electrical laundry equipment.
These examples are some of the most prevalent reasons of fire and accidents leading to death. This is why the Philippine Electrical Code requires every household to have a GFCI installed in his or her home. Countries such as the UK, Australia, Norway, Germany and the US have mandated to install their GFCIs, RCDs, RCBOs in all their homes beginning from 2002 to 2007. Wet areas, hot tubs or spas, hotel bathrooms, underwater swimming pool lights, kitchen counter receptacles, garage, construction sites, etc. are other places where GFCIs are required to be installed.
With a GFCI, your whole household will be free from dangerous shocks, burns and unnecessary, life-threatening accidents in wet areas when in contact with an electrical source. It is also recommended that GFCIs be mainly placed in shower rooms, laundry, kitchens, garages and pool sides.
One of the advantages of using GFCI is its cost efficiency. You may connect other outlets belonging to the same circuit in your home to it and experience the same protection throughout your entire household.
Second, it promotes safety. Aside from the specific function of a GFCI mentioned earlier, when your electronic or electrical device is plugged into a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, a ground fault for as low as 6 milli-amperes can be sensed that will cut off power supply immediately. This is especially beneficial for children for it has been found that the electrical shock tolerance level of children and females, more so for pregnant women, are much lower than that of males. GFCIs makes sure your children are safe despite tendencies of carelessness due to curiosity. This is also in accordance with UL standard.
Evidently a third advantage of GFCI is its duplex convenience outlet (C.O.) with a maximum load of 20 Amperes. This also allows you to plug-in 2 electronic devices at the same time (i.e. shaver and hair dryer). For heavier loads such as your shower heater, this will not be a problem either.
GFCI is also available in 220 Volts (GF-250) and 110 Volts (LG-20). It is also UL-Listed and CSA certified giving you confidence and assures you of its reliability and durability.
Last but definitely not the least, GFCI with its modern and attractive design of non-fading poly-carbonate glossy-white finish, assures you of competitive prices and aesthetics! What more can u ask for?
Don’t put your household’s safety on the line, invest now on a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter and insure your family and loved ones of the damages electrical shocks can bring. Have the peace of mind that you did your part in protecting them!
A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter as termed in our country, in the US and in Canada, it is also known as Residual-Current Device (RCD), Residual-Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB) in European countries and Safety-Switches in Australia. What makes it different from other receptacles is that in the event of a ground fault, it will trip and quickly stop the flow of electricity to prevent serious accidents, injuries, burns and other damages. Be reminded however, that a GFCI does not protect you from over voltage. But in the case of an ordinary outlet, the electricity flows in a normal safe path, allowing electricity to pass through a person’s body to reach the ground. This as you know is very dangerous and can cause serious problems including death.
Basically the function of a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) tells you already why you should have it at home. It will ultimately save you from all the trauma and unnecessary losses you may experience compared to an ordinary outlet.
It will protect your whole household from the following scenarios causing the aforementioned:
• The careless acts of holding electronic/electrical devices when hands are wet (i.e. shavers, hair dryers, mp3 players, radios, etc.
• Cut or broken wires during usage of kitchen appliances.
• On-going operation of washing machines and other electrical laundry equipment.
These examples are some of the most prevalent reasons of fire and accidents leading to death. This is why the Philippine Electrical Code requires every household to have a GFCI installed in his or her home. Countries such as the UK, Australia, Norway, Germany and the US have mandated to install their GFCIs, RCDs, RCBOs in all their homes beginning from 2002 to 2007. Wet areas, hot tubs or spas, hotel bathrooms, underwater swimming pool lights, kitchen counter receptacles, garage, construction sites, etc. are other places where GFCIs are required to be installed.
With a GFCI, your whole household will be free from dangerous shocks, burns and unnecessary, life-threatening accidents in wet areas when in contact with an electrical source. It is also recommended that GFCIs be mainly placed in shower rooms, laundry, kitchens, garages and pool sides.
One of the advantages of using GFCI is its cost efficiency. You may connect other outlets belonging to the same circuit in your home to it and experience the same protection throughout your entire household.
Second, it promotes safety. Aside from the specific function of a GFCI mentioned earlier, when your electronic or electrical device is plugged into a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, a ground fault for as low as 6 milli-amperes can be sensed that will cut off power supply immediately. This is especially beneficial for children for it has been found that the electrical shock tolerance level of children and females, more so for pregnant women, are much lower than that of males. GFCIs makes sure your children are safe despite tendencies of carelessness due to curiosity. This is also in accordance with UL standard.
Evidently a third advantage of GFCI is its duplex convenience outlet (C.O.) with a maximum load of 20 Amperes. This also allows you to plug-in 2 electronic devices at the same time (i.e. shaver and hair dryer). For heavier loads such as your shower heater, this will not be a problem either.
GFCI is also available in 220 Volts (GF-250) and 110 Volts (LG-20). It is also UL-Listed and CSA certified giving you confidence and assures you of its reliability and durability.
Last but definitely not the least, GFCI with its modern and attractive design of non-fading poly-carbonate glossy-white finish, assures you of competitive prices and aesthetics! What more can u ask for?
Don’t put your household’s safety on the line, invest now on a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter and insure your family and loved ones of the damages electrical shocks can bring. Have the peace of mind that you did your part in protecting them!