Professional Documents
Culture Documents
12
Electrical
Installation
and
Maintenance
Bitanhuan National High School
Baybay City Division Baybay City, Leyte
DEFINITION OF TERMS
GFCI - is a fast-acting circuit breaker designed to turn off electric power in the event of a
ground fault. It works by allowing current flow going to and returning from equipment to
be equal, and if this flow differs, the GFCI interrupts the current to prevent injuries.
Nuisance trips - are clearly defined as unwarranted circuit breaker trips with either no
electrically based reason for the trips, or, the breaker deems there to be a fault when one
does not exist.
Inductive coupling or magnetically coupled - when they are configured such that a
change in current through one wire induces a voltage across the ends of the other wire
through electromagnetic induction.
Electric overload - occurs when too much current passes through electric wires. The
wires heat and can melt, with the risk of starting a fire.
Ground wire - The bare or yellow/green wire is called the ground wire. Like the neutral
wire, the ground wire is also connected to an earth ground. However, the neutral and
ground wires serve two distinct purposes.
KEY POINTS
Excessive lengths of temporary wiring or long extension cords can cause ground fault
leakage current to flow by captive and inductive coupling. The combined leakage current
can exceed 5ma, causing the GFCI to trip.
Bitanhuan National High School
Baybay City Division Baybay City, Leyte
Ground faults occur when the hot wire or live wire comes into contact with the ground
wire or the grounded area of an appliance. Usually, GFCIs function by detecting when
the current is flowing along an unintended path.
The accumulation of moisture is another major cause of GFCI tripping. Outdoor
installations are the most vulnerable and rain is the most common culprit. However, due
to the tropical climate, high humidity can also cause moisture buildup and make it
harder for any water trapped in a receptacle box to evaporate.
Circuit overload occurs when more amperage flows through an electric wire or circuit
than it can handle. This may happen if you connect malfunctioning or defective
appliances. Loose, corroded wires or connections may also be to blame. Once the GFCI
outlet senses an overload, it trips or "breaks" the circuit.
If you've tried all else and the GFCI outlet reset doesn't solve the problem, that means
outlet itself is defective. GFCI have highly responsive internal circuitry to detect
whenever there's a flaw in the electric system. With time, the sensitive circuitry wears
out, rendering the outlet dysfunctional. In this case, the outlet will need repairing or
even replacing and should be done by a qualified electrician.
• Locate the circuit breaker or fuse that controls the outlet you plan to replace and
shut off the power to the circuit.
• Plug a lamp, radio or the GFCI tester into the outlet to test for power and make
sure it's off.
Fig. 3
Working Drawing
Bitanhuan National High School
Baybay City Division Baybay City, Leyte
Fig. 6
Fig. 8
Bitanhuan National High School
Baybay City Division Baybay City, Leyte
5. Crawl spaces: In unfinished areas located at or below grade level, the same
GFCI requirements are in effect as for basements.
6. Kitchens: All receptacles serving countertop areas and any receptacle within 6
feet of a sink must have GFCI protection. Also, the receptacle supplying a
dishwasher should be GFCI-protected.
7. Laundry, utility, and wet bar sinks: Where receptacles are placed within 6
feet of the outside edge of the sink, they require GFCI protection.
Bitanhuan National High School
Baybay City Division Baybay City, Leyte
8. Pool/spa areas: GFCI protection is required for lights and lighting outlets;
receptacles for pumps; all receptacles within 20 feet of a pool, spa, or fountain;
and power supply for a pool cover.
Note that even though this is acceptable by the NEC. Your safety now depends on the
proper functioning of the GFCI which is considerably more complex and failure prone
than a simple fuse or circuit breaker. Therefore, if at all possible, provide a proper Code
compliant ground connection to all outlets feeding appliances with 3 wire plugs.
Bitanhuan National High School
Baybay City Division Baybay City, Leyte
2. Help prevent electric fire: Whenever excess current flows through the wire GFCI
shuts off the current and thereby mitigates electric fire.
(i) GFCIs on the job sites for receptacle outlets in use and not as a part of the
permanent wiring of the building or
(ii) have a scheduled and recorded assured equipment grounding conductor program
on construction sites which covers all cord sets, receptacles which are not part of the
permanent wiring of the building or structure, and equipment connected by cord and
plug which are available for use.
You must provide the approved GFCIs for all 220-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere
receptacle outlets on construction sites that are not a part of the permanent wiring of
the building or structure. If there is any receptacle that is installed as a part of the
permanent wiring of the building, then you must provide GFCI protection.
Electrocution remains the fourth leading cause of work-related death for construction
workers, with one worker electrocuted on the job every day. Although OHS professionals
are not necessarily skilled electricians, describes scenarios in which equipment like
GFCIs are essential - for saving lives, GFCIs should be seen as just as important as
smoke detectors.
Bitanhuan National High School
Baybay City Division Baybay City, Leyte
Reference Materials:
https://www.hendersonengineers.com/insight_article/understanding-
gfcinuisances/
https://www.hendersonengineers.com/insight_article/understanding-
gfcinuisances/#:~:text=1.,currents%20may%20trip%20the%20GFCI.
https://filipinoengineer.com/wiki/PEC:Philippine_Electrical_Code_2009_Pa
rt_1/Chapter_2._Wiring_and_Protection/Article_2.10__Branch_Circuits#.28
a.29_Dwelling_Units.
https://www.pro-sapien.com/blog/electrical-safety/
Bitanhuan National High School
Baybay City Division Baybay City, Leyte
Directions:
A. Understand the procedures on how to install GFCI receptacle type. Numbers 1-5 in
order on the space provided for.
B. Understand the procedures on how to install GFCI breaker type. Numbers 1-5 in
order on the space provided for.
3. In testing the receptacle, what should you do first? Then, when lights on what
is to be pressed?
4. If the “Reset” button pops out but the light does not go out, what has been done
to GFCI? If “Reset” button does not pops out, what happen to GFCI?
5. What should you do if the GFCI is functioning properly and the lamp goes out?
Bitanhuan National High School
Baybay City Division Baybay City, Leyte