Check Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters

If an inexpensive electrical device were installed in every U.S. household, nearly 70 percent of the electrocutions that occur in homes each year could be prevented. According to the National Electrical Safety Foundation, that life saving device is a ground fault circuit interrupter, commonly known as a GFI. GFI's are designed to sense fluctuation in power flow at an electrical outlet and automatically cut the power to prevent electrical shock.

GFI's take three forms for residential use. The most common type is the GFI receptacle found in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, basements and outdoors. The second type is a dead front GFI unit generally used to protect hot tubs and swimming pools. The third style is a GFI circuit breaker installed in the service panel or remote-disconnect, also used to protect hot tubs and pools.

The safety assured by the (GFI) is dependent on the unit being in good working condition. All GFI products are required by the manufacturer to be tested monthly and, for the safety of your family, it is a good idea to do so. Testing the GFI not only assures the used that the unit is still working but also exercises some moving parts to prevent them from seizing up.

To test: Plug something that uses power into the GFI receptacle and push the test button. The power should go off when the test button is pushed. The light on a wet niche fixture in a swimming pool should go out when the test button is pushed. When the reset button is pushed, power should be restored. If the test button does not interrupt the power, the unit is defective and needs to be replaced.