What’s a GFI?
GFI stands for Ground Fault Interrupters. The National Electrical Code demands that GFI receptacles must be used instead of the regular ones in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and any other areas where water is present.
The idea of a GFI is that it will shut off the power if there is even the slightest issue. When you use an outlet and the power shuts off, check to see if it is a GFI outlet instead. If so, hit the “TEST” and then the “RESET” button.
Sometimes a receptacle that isn’t a GFI quits working. In this case, it may be protected by some sort of GFI and it’s wise to check the other GFIs in your home to make sure they’re working properly.
If a GFI outlet quits working permanently, call your electrician.
GFIs are also called GFCIs (ground fault circuit interrupters). They can measure differences in power as small as 3ma. When they detect that there’s less energy going out of the neutral side than there is coming in on the “hot” side, the outlet shuts off. This means the extra power is stopped from coming out of that outlet and hurting the person using it.
You should check your GFI outlets every month to be sure they are working correctly. This is done by hitting the “TEST” button on the receptacle. If this makes the “RESET” button come out, the outlet is just fine. If not, call an electrician to get it fixed. However, if it is working okay, simply hit the reset button to finish your monthly test.
What’s An AFCI?
AFCI stands for Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters. They are special protection devices that are circuit beakers in your electrical service panel. This makes them unlike GFCIs, which reside in receptacles. AFCIs protect against arcing (electricity converted into heat), thus preventing electrical fires. The National Electrical Code requires AFCI protections to be installed in (at least) all sleeping areas, if not the whole house by now. You can easily get AFCI protection. Simply hire an licensed and insured electrician to do the work for you.
What’s An Arc Fault?
An arc fault is when an arc is created by a current flowing through an unplanned path. It’s very hot, with some exceeding 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This can cause wood framing or insulation to catch fire. A common example of this happening is when a tree falls during a storm, creating a current discharge between conductors or the ground. Another instance in which arcing happens is when someone uses an arc welder. In that case, it would be an intentional use of arcing.
Why Do We Need AFCIs?
AFCIs prevent a fire from starting in your home. Conventional overcorrect protective devices do not detect low level hazardous arcing currents that could cause fires. Electrical fires are a real problem that start in a hidden area and cause death. Therefore, AFCIs exist to help protect the circuits from such instances.
How Is an Arc Fault Detected?
AFCIs work differently than standard circuit breakers. Instead, they use advanced electronic technology to detect the different arcing conditions. While there are different types of technology used to measure arcs by different manufacturers of AFCIs, they all serve the same purpose—detecting parallel arcs (line to line, line to neutral, and line to ground) and/or series arcs (arcing in series with one of the conductors). Each of these devices is designed to monitor the circuit to determine whether the arcing is “normal” or “dangerous.” This is because some household equipment, such as a motor driven vacuum or a furnace motor, naturally creates arcs. However, there are times it is normal. When you turn a light switch on or off and the opening of the contacts creates an arc is a good example of this. Sometimes dangerous arcing is caused by damaged electrical conductor insulation. During arcing, AFCIs analyze the characteristics of it, deciding whether or not it is a problem. The manufacturers test hundreds of possibilities and design it to monitor constantly for these conditions.
Types of Circuit Breaker AFCIs
Branch/Feeder Breaker AFCIs – installed at the origin of a branch circuit or feeder (like at a panelboard) that detects arcing faults line-to-line, line-to-neutral, and line-to-ground.
Combination Breaker AFCI – provides series arc detection down to 5 amperes as well as lowering arcing in branch circuits and power supply cords. These are required as of the first of January 2008.
Breaker AFCI and GFCI Protection – combination provides both arcing and 5mA ground fault protection. This is done by compiling an AFCI circuit breaker and a GFCI receptacle. There are also AFCIs that can have 5mA GFCI protection in them.
A Little More Info on AFCIs…
While an AFCI has no special requirements, it must be installed and wired correctly. Circuits that vary from the norm take more special consideration. In this case, all you usually have to do is follow the installation instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Some Differences Between AFCIs and General Circuit Breakers…
The difference between installing an AFCI breaker versus a standard thermal magnetic circuit breaker is that you must connect both the hot and neutral conductors to the proper terminals of an AFCI breaker. However, with a conventional breaker, the hot conductor is connected to the breaker, while the neutral conductor is attached to the neutral bar of the load center.
It’s also wise to keep in mind that normal circuit breakers are designed to protect your wiring, not to protect you. The amount of electricity that will trip a circuit breaker is a thousand times stronger than the amount that will kill you.
What’s the Difference Between the Installation of an AFCI and A GFCI?
GFCIs prevent electrical shock while AFCIs keep electrical fires from starting. In addition, GFCIs have been required in homes for 30 years in all areas that come in contact with water (with additional circuits and locations over time). They have been effective at lowering the number of electrocutions. On the other hand, AFCIs are newer. They’ve only been installed in bedrooms in recent years. They will catch on though. However, people demand that proof be provided that fires have actually been prevented with them. The only problem with this thinking is in that those little instances, the fire was prevented and thus, was not reported, creating no proof that the public is asking for. Therefore, it’s best to just trust the national body of experts that have made these decisions.
Should I Have AFCIs Installed?
It is wise to get AFCIs installed in the required areas of the bedroom power and lighting circuits. This prevents arcing conditions from becoming a fire hazard. Even if your state doesn’t require them, it’s still wise and possible to have them installed.