A nicely detailed/illustrated explanation on GFI operation expanding on=20= Tee's excellent comments can be found at: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/gfi.html Don't forget to check the links at the bottom. =97LK On Tuesday, June 15, 2004, at 07:59 PM, Tee Cashmore wrote: > Susan N. Dunbar wrote: > >> Looking at the information that Eric referred to in his google = search, >> especially the Lightning and Surge protection PDF, >> to me it looks as though surge protectin can be installed at the main >> service panel, as point of entry to the apartment. >> >> Please help me understand if this is not correct. >> > Only if the owner of the building agrees and many will not allow such > changes, even though they also benefit. In most cases an apartment > building has a 400 Volt plus lead into a "Busbar", which is then = routed > to each meter for each apartment. Any exterior protection is quite > expensive, usually $2000 plus plus just for the equipment and requires > Hydro approval & inspection. > Surge protection via a good quality power bar is the least expensive > protection, followed by special red coloured outlets in the wall; > you've probably seen them in hospitals, which require them at every = bed > location. > Lightning protection is rarely needed in any modern building if the=20 > main > electrical panel is well grounded. The biggest cause of computer > problems comes from "Brown Outs", which occur often. Ground Fault > Circuit Interrupt (GFCI) outlets; the ones with 2 buttons on them > usually installed in bathrooms; work on the principle of variation of > current, similar to power bars, and will shut off the power if a fault > is detected. > Panamax surge protectors work on the above system and are a good, wise > investment. > I am a "Home Inspector" and know of what I speak. BTW only 17% of the > thousands of homes that I have inspected over the last 20 years are > wired correctly, including new ones and especially apartment = buildings. > TTFN, > TeeC > > _________________________________________________ > > For information concerning the MUGLO List just click on > > http://muglo.on.ca/Pages/joinus.html > > Don't forget to periodically check our web site at: > > http://muglo.on.ca/ > > ********************************************************** Larry Kryski Spell Bound Publishing London, Ontario N6L 1E3 Canada Ph: 519 652-8267 Fx: 519 652-8268 e-mail: spellboundpub@xxxxxxxxxx WWW: http://members.rogers.com/spellboundpub/ ********************************************************** _________________________________________________ For information concerning the MUGLO List just click on http://muglo.on.ca/Pages/joinus.html Don't forget to periodically check our web site at: http://muglo.on.ca/