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National Electric Code Posted by Saabpilot [Email]  (#134) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Saabpilot) on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 05:33:47
In Reply to: Re: OT: home electrical, TML   [Profile/Gallery]
, Fri, 13 Aug 2010 05:01:48
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Electrical safety is not something to play with. While older buildings may not have GFCI outlets, if the building was built with them in compliance with current codes at the time but you remove them, you have just committed a code violation. While that may not matter to you because no inspector will ever see it, it may matter to your insurance company if, for example your home ever catches fire and they find out you removed the GFCI. It may also matter when you get shocked due to touching the circuit accidentally while wet (hence why every bathroom has a GFCI).
As others have summarized, a GFCI is a safety device and is required by code for certain circuits. Current National Electric Code goes even one step further and in many residential situations requires internal shutters in standard outlets, so that you cannot put the proverbial knife into the outlet and get the proverbial shocking result.
Many times in residential construction a GFCI in a garage is protecting an entire circuit, not just the GFCI outlet itself. In my house, I have a GFCI in my downstairs bathroom that also is on the same circuit as my garage outlets, for example. Think of it this way - GFCI outlets are about 4 or 5 times more expensive than standard outlets. Why would your builder have put it there if it wasn't required by code, and / or for safety reasons?
In the scenario described in the intial post, there could be other factors causing it to trip, including a short circuit. I'm completely guessing here, but maybe there is a problem with the freezer itself. If that is the case, then the GFCI just saved the garage from burning down. Again, this is strictly a guess but is a possible scenario. Moral of the story - don't remove safety devices!
, Fri, 13 Aug 2010 05:01:48, Fri, 13 Aug 2010 05:33:47 <-- Viewing This Message
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