How to Use a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter

Ground-fault circuit interrupters are electrical devices designed to protect you from electrical surges that may be life-threatening. Even if the electrical shock is just a tingle, if you are on a ladder, this tingle may be enough to cause you to fall. Most new houses have them built in to meet electrical codes. Even though they are in your house, you may not know how to use them properly.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Replace any regular outlet with a ground-fault circuit interrupter, especially any near water. The ground-fault circuit interrupter detects minute variations in electrical current and trips the electrical circuit to prevent you from injury.

2. Place ground-fault circuit interrupters on wiring that carry heavy loads. Use ground-fault circuit interrupters to protect kitchens where there are a number of appliances such as microwaves, toaster ovens and coffee makers that may be operating at the same time.

3. Put a ground-fault circuit interrupter in your circuit board or breaker box. You can protect a number of related circuits this way. A circuit board ground-fault circuit interrupter doesn't work if your house still uses fuses.

4. Make use of portable ground-fault circuit interrupters, if you are doing repairs outside your house with power tools. Older houses don't always have outdoor power receptacles, so people plug power tools into indoor receptacles. A portable ground-fault circuit interrupter protects your indoor circuits from power overloads.

5. Regularly test your ground fault circuit interrupters. Each one has a test button. Push it. You should hear a click that tells you the circuit is broken. There should not be any electricity to that outlet.

6. Push the reset button to renew the circuit. If the button does not stay in but continues to pop back out, there's a problem with the circuit. Consult an electrician then.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't do any electrical wiring if you're the least bit unsure of what you're doing.