FreeLists / homeclinic / [homeclinic] Re: Monthly posting/Question on GFI circuits

["Garrett Lanzy" <lanzyg@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

False.

The threshold for leakage current must trip a standard
GFCI is 5ma (0.005a).  A circuit tester (neon bulb) which
dissipates 0.25W at 120V(rms) draws only about 2ma (0.002a), 
so it will not (necessarily) trip a properly-functioning GFCI.

Here's a link to a page which explains how a GFCI works
(courtesy of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory):

http://www-training.llnl.gov/wbt/hc/Electrical/GFCIworks.html

Garrett Lanzy

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <homeclinic-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <homeclinic@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, March 01, 2002 8:03 PM
Subject: [homeclinic] Monthly posting/Question on GFI circuits




You are receiving this because you are signed up to the Homeclinic mailing
list. Every month the owner of this list sends out a question dealing with
issues around the house and home. This posting also serves as a test
of the mailing list to see if it is still working :-)
Feel free to step in  and answer it!
To change your subscription se the HomeClinic web page at
http://www.freelists.org/webpage/homeclinic



A home owner is testing a Ground Fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)  with a
small 1/4-watt electrical circuit tester. When using the metal junction
box or the ground slot as a neutral, the GFCI does not trip.. However,
when doing the same with a 25-watt incandescent bulb, the GFCI will trip.

True or False. The above test indicates that the GFCI(ground fault circuit
interrupter) is  not working correctly as the GFCI should have tripped
even with the electrical circuit tester.


Post all answers to the list and I will announce the winners in a day or
two.

 ken (list owner)

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