AFCI vs GFCI: What's The Difference and Why You Should Care
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 9 май 2024
- AFCI vs GFCI: What’s The Difference?
📢 Subscribe to Top Homeowner Here: geni.us/tophomeowner
👇 CLICK SHOW MORE 👇
Breaking down the difference in protection between AFCI, GFCI, Standard Breakers, CAFCI and Arc Fault Circuit Breakers, and Dual-Function Circuit Breakers. If you've ever wondered what any of these do or where you should use them, this is going to completely change how you look at electrical safety.
There are different options available when it comes to AFCI and GFCI protection. For example, they can protect a single outlet (receptacle) or an entire circuit (breaker) depending on what your needs are. The best way to protect against any arc fault (parallel arc, series arc, and ground arc) is by using a Dual-Function CAFCI/GFCI breaker.
Refer to 2020 NEC 210.12 for more information about AFCI requirements
This is NOT a sponsored video. Some product links are affiliate links, including Amazon Affiliate links, which means if you buy something, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
📒 Video Notes 📒
=Product Link(s)=
GFCI Breaker: geni.us/vD0gign
GFCI Receptacle: geni.us/cN2JOA
CAFCI Breaker: geni.us/nkXs
AFCI Receptacle: geni.us/hHckw0
Dual-Function Breaker: geni.us/dAZ0n
Connect with Top Homeowner on Social Media:
✍ Visit our blog @ www.tophomeowner.com
📷 Follow us on Instagram: / tophomeowner
👍 Join us on Facebook: / tophomeowner
🐦 Tweet us on Twitter: / tophomeowner
📢 Subscribe to Top Homeowner Here: geni.us/tophomeowner
--------Cameras and Gear Used To Make This Video ------
Curious about all the Tools 🛠 and Gear 🎬 we use on Top Homeowner?
Full list here: kit.co/tophomeowner
Like the Graphics and Music? ♪♫♪
Download Unlimited Creatives for All Your Projects:
Envato Elements: geni.us/AZYHh6
#tophomeowner #electrical #diy
⏰ Chapter Timecodes ⏰
0:00 AFCI vs GFCI
0:13 What is GFCI
2:05 Standard Breaker Protection
3:02 What is AFCI (Parallel Arc Protection)
4:54 What is CAFCI (Series Arc Protection)
6:26 Dual-Function Breakers
7:02 AFCI Disadvantages
9:35 Is AFCI Worth It?
Disclaimer:
Top Homeowner produces videos for informational, educational, & entertainment purposes only. Information here is not to be viewed as advice but as an opinion. Viewers should be aware that if they choose to work on their homes, they do so at their own risk. Top Homeowner is not responsible for any damages that may occur to the property of a viewer. Some of the projects, materials, and techniques may not be suitable for all ages or skill levels. It is up to the viewer to decide whether to consult with a professional before working on their home. We make no claims to the safety of the projects, techniques, or resources featured in this video, and we will not be held responsible for the actions viewers may choose to take with the information provided. It is recommended that viewers use common sense and take all necessary safety measures. Codes, regulations, standards, and rules are constantly changing around the world, so it is the viewer's responsibility to ascertain their local requirements before starting any type of work. 
Хобби
GFCI's work by passing the hot and neutral through a coil. As long as the inbound and outbound currents are the same, no voltage will be generated in the coil. If there is a difference, a voltage will be generated and picked up by the circuitry. AFCI's work by detecting high frequency noise on the circuit generated by the arcing. This is why they trip when using brushed motors. I'm sure our old school slot cars would have played havoc with them.
The power packs were transformers with IRRC 1/2 wave selenium rectifiers. Would be interesting to find out.
Thanks for this information, would have been nice if it was included in the video.
@@kamX-rz4uy Darn right! Up till this moment, I found it hard to really trust GFCIs because I couldn't figure out what the detection mechanism was. Now that I know, I can trust GFCIs.
This comment is better than the video
Thank you for taking the time to provide the additional clarification. It's good to know THAT they work, but even better to know HOW they work.
I am an electrical engineer and a contractor and want to say, that it's a very good and easy to understand explanation of AFCI and GFCI protection.
But to be honest, it is not hard to explain what the purposes of the two devices are and how they work, is it?
I mean, it's not as if the presenter is trying to explain how to take a signal in the time domain and convert it to a representation in the frequency domain...now that would be beyond most electricians.
Thanks, I appreciate that!
@@deang5622 you're so SMRT....
@@deang5622 dont be that guy. "Acckkttually..."
Fast fourier transform.....
@@deang5622
I am a General Contractor in northern California and I became an electrician in the 80's and your video is how ALL videos should be here. Clear, accurate and to the point! Well done!!
Thank you!
Yes, I liked it, too. No fluffing around, just raw information.
As far as I can tell, none of these special devices will protect a human from a shock if the person grabs the hot and neutral at the same time. So some child grabbing and pulling out a plug when their little fingers go round to touch the conductors, before full disconnect, is still not protected. I'm not sure it's actually possible to provide this protection.
@@mb-3faze
No but since you jogged my memory, it would probably protect from what I did at about two years old.
I remember almost nothing from my youth however this is so vivid in my mind even now many decades later.
IDK if the electricity burned it into my brain or if I remember it so vividly because how all the adults started screaming and freaking out.
We had terrazzo floors and I was barefoot. I found a bobby pin / hair pin on the floor and I promptly stuck it in the wall socket.
It was the type that was kinda “U” shaped and I put one end in each side and was immediately amazed with all the little fire balls jumping and rolling around on the terrazzo floor.
How I wasn’t killed I’ll never know but then again I should have been killed many other times since then as well, I guess the Lord needs me here to be a bad example of stupid things to do.
Thank you for not embedding background music to this video. I liked the clear explanations and good camera work.
For the common person, like me, this was a good explanation.
Examples of devices that might trip an AFCI would be helpful.
I made a follow-up video about devices that can be an issue here: ruclips.net/video/U6TGWmZcDCc/видео.html
Most clearly written and spoken explanation that I have seen on RUclips. I have subscribed because I am hoping that all videos on this RUclips channel are narrated with carefully composed and edited language
Thanks for the very clear and concise tutorial and very many thanks for your generous sharing of your professional knowledge.
Great tutorial. Concise yet easy to understand by non-pros. Thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
Differences and life-saving benefits made very easy to understand. Thank you.
The most clear and accurate explanation of GFCI & AFCI. Keep the good work!
Thank you!
Wow, this is exactly what I needed, thank you so much! Great presentation as well.
This is a very good video for new homes or a rehab. It's code the more protection the better less of a fire. You might spend a little more or more than you expect, but it worth it . If you work at home it's worth having up dated electrical.
Thank you for that information. I think I will act upon it shortly.
Thank you content that is a complicated subject matter explained concisely and succinctly including the practical business standpoint
I recently ran a new circuit in my garage because one just didn't exist. The breaker I installed is a combo CAFCI/GFCI because overbuilt is better than underbuilt.
Very Helpful! Well done on the explanation too.
Thank you for this. I think I'm going to use this video to demonstrate the purposes of these devices. I'm currently working on a retrofit where I plan to replace a lot of receptacles with dual-function units, and replacing some light switches with these newly invented AFCI light switches. Extremely handy for old homes!
Very well explained. Precise & easy to understand.
Thank you!
Well done professor. Perfect presentation.
Good video! Excellent narration, Subscribed.
I noticed that you showed a hospital grade receptacle. I usually purchase those. Worth the extra money.
Excellent info & presentation. Not enough information is made available to the public to be able to make an informed decision so thank you for sharing and placing some light on this crucial subject, It is very much appreciated.
Thank you, and I'm glad you found it helpful!
Great video. Clear and coherent presentation. You are a great tutor.
Thank you very much!
It's always a pleasure to watch your videos. Your presentations are well-organized, informative, clear and thorough, so I always take away a bit beyond what I came for.
Thank you for your comment!
Thank You so much for all this detail video!!!!
nice video on explaining the difference between the afci and gfci
Thank you!
My new house has AFCI breakers with GFCI receptacles in garage , kitchen and bathrooms. The electrician we hired to hook us to the grid told us that's a costly breakers box but worth it.
30 plus years working as a plant operator at a power plant you get to know breakers well.
By the way well done video.
I bet you do! Thanks for the comment!
Thanks for these explanations.
I have AFCI in my trailer, and want to share an experience with regard to nuisance trips. I learned that a battery charger, not connected to load has some sort of issue because when i plugged in, the AFCI tripped. A regular outlet on a circuit breaker does not, nor does a GFCI. I have two of these chargers, the second does not trip the AFCI. Leading me to think that a problem in the first one is likely the cause, so I disposed of it to be safe. Thanks for this video.
Great video. Consider an appendix. Extension cords are the most common source of arcing fires since they are run under rugs and forgotten.
Yes, indeed. Furniture legs, especially metal legs, can cause the wires in an extension cord to short. That's a parallel arc or over-current condition.
Thank for explaining these. Very well done!
Glad it was helpful!
Comment about GFCI outlets and circuit breakers. I have installed several GFCI circuit breakers in outside standard "weather resistant" circuit breaker boxes. The GFCI circuit breakers are expensive, do cover all of the outlets and lights on that circuit. What I have found is that the GFCI circuit breakers can be sensitive to the weather conditions outside of the structure that they are placed in. Replacing the GFCI circuit breaker with a GFCI outlet in the first position after the breaker will provide the same outlet protection while still being sheltered from the elements.
I second that, I never install GFCI in an Outdoor Location. Much better to install them near the Breaker Panel. Also walking to the Breaker Panel, gives you time to think off, what you did wrong. BTW WR on the Receptacle Stands for Water Resistant. Always PO’s me when they are installed upside down, so the “WR,” is upside down.
It's what I never understood about some of GFCI outlet installations I've seen where the only one is at the end of a chain in the bathroom or kitchen or having to have a GFCI outlet at every outlet in said area when they are on the same circuit.
It’s totally true humidity and even temperature swings seem to trigger GFCI. Bathrooms are less affected because the outlet is in the wall and humidity/temp swings are short term. Outdoors, and humidity in an outlet can freeze and thaw, displacing the moisture further, causing a false trigger. Of course whether one considered it a false trigger is hotly debated.
Many outdoor devices, for example a Radon fan I recently installed, specifically state not to wire to a GFCI circuit. That seems counter intuitive until you realize it’s service reliability will be greatly reduced throughout the year especially in cold winter months where ice will melt and displace moisture inside the motor housing causing a differential in hot/neutral voltage through resistance from the moisture. Naturally, you can’t install a radon fan or many fans/motors in general of AFCI or CFCI circuits because the brushes in the motor generate the high frequency noise detected by arc fault integrated circuits, causing a false trigger. I believe brushless motors will become more standard over time as integration into arc fault circuits is required by various codes but as it stands now at lease in Chicago where I live many devices can be excluded from arc fault circuits in new construction such as high frequency lighting, motors, pumps, etc.
It's likely that they were only required in the specific locations at the time of installation and early GFIs may not have had the passthrough feature of new ones.
Excellent video !
Well done video! Thank you for this valuable information.
Sure thing! Glad you enjoyed it!
Very helpful explanation!
exactly what i needed
I discovered that spider nests inside my outdoor receptacles caused my panel GCFI to trip. Replaced the cheap receptacles with commercial grade and haven't had a problem since.
Where do u get cheap electrical products? I needs to know!!!
harbor freight
Good video. I used the combination breaker on my pool pump.
Nice 👍
Thanks for the refresher!
You bet!
Very clear explanation. Thank you.
Thank you for making this video.. learned so much from it.
You're welcome!
Another type of arc occurs when the blades on a plug aren’t in tight enough contact with the contacts in the wall receptacle.
Oh man this was very helpful thanks for sharing
Glad it was helpful!
Our jurisdiction requires afci on most circuits plus gfci near water usages or when old wiring (non-grounded) is connected to.
All these descriptions are all well and good but you missed the most important part!
The National Electrical Code (NEC) and the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) have made GFCI and AFCI MANDITORY FOR ALL CIRCUITS!
I recently changed out the entire electrical system in my house. Much of it was aluminum wire with cloth covering into ungrounded metal boxes without retaining clamps!
I had to replace everything from the meter to the last outlet box!
The fire inspector showed me in the code book the distances apart, the power limitations, and the protection required.
Needless to say, the job QUADRUPLED in cost!
I don't know how code works where you live, but were I live old circuits are grandfathered, and you do not need to redo them to modern code, if you do not touch them.
Yeah. They've gotten more stringent. I don't do residential, so thanks for the reminder.
I'm very sensitive to fire prevention. My close family came home one weekend night, and found the apartment building they lived in on fire. No one was hurt, but the apartment and all its contents were gone. Same for several other apartment. Fire dept was on scene and fire was already under control when they came home.
Investigation concluded that fire was due to old/faulty wiring. Building had good insurance.
The trauma of such a destruction and upheaval struck me hard.
Been very thoughtful about fire prevention and fire suppression since. Photoelectric smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, turning off breakers when I leave the house etc etc.
Thanks for the info!
Wow, thanks for sharing your story. Glad no one was hurt.
Sounds like a terrible thing to happen.
That said, how do you feel about "protection" devices that are so unreliable, they induce people to ignore the very problems they are supposed to protect against, or to just get rid of the devices altogether?
Because that's what AFCI breakers are right now. They are like a smoke detector that goes off at the drop of a hat, whether there's a fire or not.
That dual function breaker looks like it would be great in my house since it's 75yrs old and I occasionally see or hear a spark on some of my light switches at night, eventually I'll replace them all but money is tight right now and all my lights run through 1 breaker in the original 2 story section of the house, the 2 additions and garage all have newer wiring from the 70's.
This is a great video
Note: HUD in our state wants rentals to have all circuits protected and remember, you can only have one circuit per fault breaker
When we took over the 30 year old house we live in ,I was amazed by how it passed code,15amp Gfci on a 20amp breaker,non functional, and the other in my garage as well as not functional 2 story house 1989 build.Just recently changed my last fixture in the hall closet,and no suprise ground wasn't connected plastered in place lol.Eventually we will have whole house rewired and replumbed.Good explanation video.
Hey, PJV.... No, I'm sure it was NOT to code; that's why you always want a home inspection before closing.
@@CharlesMartel676 ya i think the in-laws were just trusting that the City Inspector did there job,I was flabbergasted to say the least when we first walked into the house.But frame to finish in 30days is Sketchy back then it was only 3 inspections if I remember correctly 1989-90 when my house was built and finished.Hell even my tile roof is dropping tiles like dollars on a stage.
15 amp gfis are rated at 20 amp feed thru...look at any new gfi in a store....its fine
also if 2 or more plugs in a circuit can use 15 amp plugs on a 20 amp as per the nec
and if you hook the power to the load side of a gfi it wont trip...old landlords trick...
Love your videos!
If you put GFI breakers in your breaker boxes be sure and label them both prominently and indelibly. Joe Weekend might be asking for a shock when he replaces them with just-as-good breakers, but his kids probably deserve our best efforts to protect them
I’m a resi guy looking for better ways to explain to people how GFCIs work. I always use the same example of the hairdryer in the bathroom. Anyway, great explaination mate!
Good explanation.
Great info thanks.
Thanks for the nuggets of difference on using the “combination” in lieu of basic AFCI for more robust arc protection. I was trying to figure it why I’d spend more money on what appeared to both be dual function GFCI/AFCI. Now I know if it doesn’t have C/AFCI you’re missing out on that additional point of protection in the circuit algorithm.
Glad it helped! Yeah I really don't see the point in going with AFCI when it doesn't cover everything.
Good Content,GreatTips😀👍🏿
You have one of the best videos I have seen so far... no distracting music and jokes... so eloquent, structured, informative and detailed. And you left that annoying cliche like subscribe and comment nonsense for the end (take it out all together!! everyone says it.. if your channel is awesome people will do it without you telling them to) Keep this kind of content up and you'll b on your way to a million subscribers
Very nice comment. Cheers.
I love the dual function but how well does it work connected to the AC side of a solar system?
I installed AFCI breakers on all my old (1955) circuits. However, I had to remove one and go back to the original breaker on the furnace motor circuit. Too many nuisance trips.
There is an issue with GFCI breakers. I have one circuit that supplies an outdoor outlet. When the contractor remodeled the master bathroom, he tied it into that circuit. Now, if the outdoor outlet trips, it affects the bathroom outlet too.
thanks for this pre sen tation
Thanks for the info. Most electricians have no idea. I hope some CEU's are required for license renewal. Can you please explain 208 single phase in a residential application?
GFCI and AFCIs outlets only protect down stream. So if you are looking for in wall protection then best to invest in the breakers.
They're way more reliable, too.
Do you know / can you address this subject as it pertains to Recrational Vehicles ( plugged into dedicated 50 amp residential service)? Thank you!
I had an arcing issue with an outlet in my basement. The hot wire was found to be loose and had carboned up over the years. If it was not for my dog alerting me, (He kept staring and sniffing the outlet) I probably would have had a fire for sure. I could see the glow when I took the outlet cover off! So I would say an AFTI would have worked there. BTW, that dog got a nice juicy steak for his meal.
George B
Good boy.
Dogs are great. Try getting that out of a cat. The cat would watch you burn up in a fire, and then start eating you when he got hungry enough lol
Will the use of X10 power line control devices trip afci cafci protection?
thank you, well done!
Glad it was helpful!
Will a ceiling fan cause the AFCI / GFCI dual interrupt breaker to pop? Being that the ceiling fan motor electricity changes according to the speed you set it to will it affect in some way?
I had nuisance tripping of a breaker supplying power to normal outlets. Turns out the breaker had worn out (weak). Replaced and life is good again.
As a house re-modeler i use just GFCIs, also haven't heard of AFCIs before this viewing. 😁
I might of missed it in the comments but I wish you could of told us how to identify one from the other. Very helpful vid on what they do.
Also who makes them and where? Hate buying crap from overseas that fails. Can you get them at the big box stores, or do you need to go to a dedicated electric store? Where are the best places to have them installed? Any advice on whether to use a breaker or outlet in which places?
You can get them at home Depot and Lowes... They say AFCI or GFCI on both the packaging and the breaker...
@@caseylascallette7269 ID actually on breaker , Thanks !
I have to be fairly certain the devices have the information you desire labele on them
It should be noted that the GFCI breaker predates the availability of GFCI receptacles by several years. My parents house has a GFCI breaker in the outdoor outlets and the powder room receptacles. The master and main bathroom has those transformer limited electric razor only outlets. Homes built just a few years later simply put a GFCI receptacle in the powder room and have the outdoor outlets in series with that GFCI receptacle.
Have a bathroom outlet 3 feet from sink and outlet is GFCI. House built 2012. Would a wall mounted heater require (or would it be highly advisable) AFCI on plug? Thank you.
Thanks bro useful for me this vedio
Glad to hear that
This is GREAT info. Well done. But you said that there is a dual CAFCI and GFCI breakers available "if you have room in your breaker box" What did you mean? Did you mean that these dual breakers are physically larger, or did you mean if we just have more slots available in our box?
These breakers typically require two slots each so you need some spare slots to replace old breakers.
I had to install some AFCIs in a new shop building to pass inspection. After the inspection I switched them to GFCIs so I could use tools like a drill or saw that created sparks internally and tripped the AFCI. A 120v drill is liable to be plugged in anywhere in your house, so I'm not a fan.
That’s a great idea until something happens and the fire inspector finds you changed them and then your home insurance is voided by your home insurance company.
AFCI's don't like older vacuum cleaners
@@patrickmorris9710 so get a new vacuum, AFCI’s we’re invented because of electrical fires, not to be annoying.
@@DaveS987sounds like an unintentional side affect is that they are annoying.
@@DaveS987 New vacuum cleaners also trip them. So do fans, hair dryers, some wall warts, and half rectified led lighting.
Quick question. Why does my gfci trip if my cell phone is close by. For example when I’m shaving I tend to place phone near the outlet.
It's most likely do to RFI (radio frequency interference) and the circuitry is interpreting that as an issue.
Talk about Nuisance, once i moved a junction box, up to connecting the last wire, it trip the breaker, after several more tries i call my neighbor, a retired commercial master electrician, he trouble shoot the problem to no avail 😢 next day i try again, this time i disconnected all the items in the house, bingo! The problem was a multiple power chip outlet! 😮
Once got in an argument with an electrician who came to do an estimate at my mothers house.
He kept interrupting and correcting me whenever I said GFCI.
"you mean GFI, ground fault interrupt".
I let it go.
But after he left my mom and I turned to each other.
"yeah, he's not getting the job".
I've been building electronics since I was 10 years old.
My favorite place to hang out when I was a kid was Radio Shack, back when it was more than batteries and cell phones.
My mom was confident I knew what I was talking about, and this electrician was possibly not so great.
Besides, nobody wants to work with a rude contractor.
We found a better guy through a neighbor who runs a construction business.
"... but GFCI is a more common term"
“GFI” was the original common term for them
Keep in mind that with 128.45 million households in the USA (2020 Census) 35,000 fires means that there is a .027% chance of having a fire. Of which something like half (17,500) may be prevented with AFCI/CFCI protection, about .013% chance of having an AFCI/CFCI preventable fire. This could be broken down further to work out your particular risk. Which is not to say this is not a good idea for protection. I thought your video was good and clear and thanks for making it but I did feel that the number of households is relevant. Thanks for the video.
With the these new code requirements the cost of building just got more expensive.
You explained this better than 3 years of vocational school did for me
Removed the town mandated AFCI breaker on our refrigerator after two nuisance trips.
Lost hundreds of $$$ in food as we were out of town in both events.
AFCI breakers were mandated after a kitchen remodel. We had NO electrical problems for 23 years before the remodel.
Also removed the AFCI breaker for the 110 volt line that powers the igniters for the gas burners on our stove for the nuisance tripping issue. The oven would loose its flame w/o warning.
CGI can be as bad...this guy is selling FEAR OF ELECTROCUTION...
Yeah screw that. What a pain in the ass.
Should a GFCi receptacle be warm to the touch? Without anything plugged into it, it is warm to the touch and concerns me that it may be bad and headed for trouble. I replaced it about 10/12 yrs. ago. It has repeatedly tripped when a hair dryer is used, even on low setting. Lately it is tripping without anything plugged directly into it and I can't find what is making it trip. Does it sound as if just needs repalacing? I hope I did not derail your postings. :)
It shouldn't be noticably warm to the touch, especially if it hasn't recently been in use. Warmth can be attributed to resistance so you may have a bad GFCI or connection. Sounds like its bad since it's tripping on it's own
Ground fault is not good when you are the conductor. So yes a hospital visit should also be scheduled.
The interrupter that triggers on the slope of the current is there to protect the circuits plugged into it.
My old landlord knew all the tricks of the trade and did everything the cheapest way, his way. I kept smelling what I thought was cigarette smoke in the house of a night. I don't smoke.
I finally tracked it down to a connection he or one of his "helpers" did coming out of the circuit breaker box. The twist connector had gotten so hot that it was melted on the wiring. He had twisted together aluminum wire to copper. This is something you do not do. Both expand and contract at different rates and the connection will come loose.
He always did things the cheapest for him. He updated the living room with new drywall but put in no insulation in the ceiling making it really hard to heat.
What about old home wiring are those fancy breakers good
Ima Architect in NV - excellent video!
Thank you!
Here in Germany the GFCI is mandatory for all new electrical installations for the whole house.
I have installed them to protect my whole house, and I think everyone should at least have them (Although the voltage in the US is only half as high).
But we have different panels than you guys do, so we can install one GFCI (with no breaker inside) for multiple breakers, so the cost really isnt that high over here.
I havent given much thought about AFCIs, but it might be a good decision to get them as well, although they can cause problems with the nuisance tripping and they are more expensive than GFCIs over here.
If you are operating with 240 volts with ring circuits. The amperage never reaches the threshold to need protection for series circuits. Parallel arcing would still be needed but I haven’t heard of those in EUROPEAN countries.
@@matthewfournier6478 only really an issue with ring circuits in the UK. Not sure if Ireland use them too but rest if Europe use 16amp radials mainly
@@matthewfournier6478 It is the voltage that causes arcing.
My brand new (2022) house has AFCI breakers. Out clothes drier trips it constantly. I disconnected the second ground wire in the back of the drier to prevent this but can I just replace the Arc Fault breaker with a normal GFCI breaker and reconnect that wire in the drier?
If not, what am I SUPPOSED to do to remain in code?
The recepticals with push to connect can cause arc faults. I have seen three trailers and two houses where push to connects caused fires.
Yeah use the screw terminals and the problem goes away.
Should be outlawed
I have some rent houses with ungrounded circuits and was wondering if installing the combination breakers would be an adequate solution.
As a matter of fact, you're right. No grounds is in violation of current NEC codes, but an allowed exception is GFI protection on said circuits.
No. Don't cheap out on the safety of your tenants. Have the homes rewired.
I had a GFCI outlet that would trip when I had a space heater on it and too much connected to the same circuit it was on but not on gfci's. The breaker would never flip just the GFCI outlet would flip. I suppose with the space heater pulling a good amount of power a long way and two other outlets pulling power a good distance must of eventually caused the load on the GFCI outlet to become unbalanced.
Ground fault interrupters will also protect you from electronic devices that may have one of their "power" leads grounded to the chassis, either intentional or due to wiring issue. This was fairly common in the '70s though the '80s. If you are not grounded, you wouldn't know it existed. But if you are grounded, you will be the return path of the electricity. ACs, Heaters, Refrigerators, TVs, Toasters all were notorious for wiring the return to the chassis and did not have a true ground. If you ever where at grandma's house and touch the toaster or fridge and then touched the metal of the sink and got a mild shock, that was because you became part of the electrical circuit. If you were properly grounded it would go from a mild shock to a serious hazard.
🤯
I waiting for a BGRFCI to come out. I can't count the sleepless nights I've had, worrying about a bent ground rod....
At the breaker box, I understand this in Romex Code, because rodents chew cables, people drill a hole to hang a TV, etc. can nick or cut the cable. However, In metallic Conduit required locations by Code I am not sure there is a benefit to breakers with the added protection. The protection at the receptacle is likely better for two reasons. #1: GFCI breakers have had the reputation of hyper sensitivity to tripping due to the long line and multiple line loads. #2: No one wants to shleap to the breaker box every time these trip. The average person will want to reset it at the receptacle. Half the time I plug in the blender or specific computer charger in the kitchen, it trips the GFCI. There is no leak between the ground and either hot or neutral and the computer charger is two prong polarized. I have found outside outlets where one of the GFCI is far more sensitive to false trips than another. Take whole home surge protection. I have been doing that since year 2000.
If you protect a circuit with a breaker, are you required to put a GFCI sticker on all protected receptacle wall plates? Or, are there wall plates with GFCI emblazoned on them?
Thanks.
Good video. Risk management is something we, as modern humans, haven't really needed to do on such a vast and large scale for a long time. I'm happy to see more awareness of the need to be "aware" of the risks we face in our modern world. However I think we need to use caution when approaching the concept of "make the world 100% safe for everyone." Life has risk and is the cost benefit ratio for said risk(s) worthwhile? I don't know but it's worth discussing.
you really think people came here to read you babbling about stuff you have such little knowledge in but feel compelled to toss out a ton of cliches to appear smart?
@@slowery43 😆
Can't thin out the non hackers if we've got these damn safety devices around...
If/when home insurers demand changing out receptacles for pre-80's homes (that do not have grounds ( I know this because they are in my house and i only know this because i have to replace one or more as i speak - the reason i must learn this), we might as well learn about it as DYI 'ERS.
The arc fault of both kinds are pretty much Nanny junk . What needs to happen is just a device to test the circuit upon installation ... which would be nice if it could tell you how far down the line the arc is happening.
Then fix it ,,, but for regular use , just use your regular over amperage breakers.
GFCI's are of course good things though.
I guess also if doing anything involving penetrating the wall with nails & screws. Would then be a good time to test the circuit for arc faults. Knowing your circuits , and where the wires might be running is a good thing for any DIYer . But this set it and forget it type of safety , is pretty ridiculous IMHO .
I suppose most aren't old enough to remember when window air conditioner units would burn houses down. The high current draw would cause arcing, leading to a fire. It happened quite a bit. I forget, was it 2002 when they added it to the NEC?
Aside from cost an issue particularly with GFCI & AFCI circuit breakers is the amount of extra space they take up in a panel. One of these typically takes up the space of 2 normal breakers. The receptacles also take up much more space in a box which can be a problem when there are multiple wire connectors for branch circuits in there.
I've installed several circuit breakers to keep up with code requirements. Also have a couple GFCI receptacles. No problems with the GFCI breaker but had an AFCI breaker fail. Can't confirm why but I don't think it was due to circuit overload & suspect the breaker itself was faulty, nearly caused a fire. I smelled burning, went to investigate & found the breaker scorched at the neutral connection. I disconnected the other AFCI breaker & hooked the circuits back up with standard breakers. No longer trust AFCI circuit breakers after that episode.
In what make of main service panel do afci breakers take up two spaces?
Not all of them take up extra space. Siemens with plug on neutral are same exact size.
@@caseylascallette7269 I have a Siemens panel & both GFCI & AFCI breakers take up double the space I can fit a normal 15 amp breaker.
@@andrewshedron425 See my reply to Casey Lascallette. Perhaps slimmer versions are available now but not when I was looking.
Are you using tandems?