I want to protect an item that will be plugged into the wall in my garage. A PEV, specifically. If it is plugged into the outlet, need THAT outlet be a GFCI, or if the outlet is in a daisy-chain, only the outlet closest to the breaker, be a GFCI? I am obviously not an electrician, so break it down Barney style.
GFCI Installation Questions
- Thread starter Ws6
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It's not the device plugged in that determines the need for a GFCI but the location of the outlet. If the outlet is within six feet of a water source (spiggot?) that outlet should be ground fault protected. Outdoor outlets should always be ground fault protected. Some items should not be plugged into a GFCI, that being a sump pump, refridgerator and freezer. There may be others.
Explain to me what "ground fault protection" does that a circuit breaker does not do?
A circuit breaker trips when current flow for the circuit it protects exceeds its rating. A GFCI monitors for a change in the flow of electrical current (leakage to ground). However, a GFCI will also work in older two wire homes. Example if someone drops an electrical appliance into a water filled sink, the GFCI will trip. Someone who is ignorant might want to use a hair dryer or radio while they are in the bathtub. Hopefully, if they drop it in the water, it can save their life. The GFCI will respond in miliseconds.
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I'm not an Electrician. This is just my experience as a homeowner.
G.F.C.I. = Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
May NOT completely prevent electrical shocks. It may just reduce it so you are not killed, (we're talking millionth of a second).
G.F.C.I. will protect all outlets down-stream of it but are more effective if the outlet your using is 'closer' to the G.F.C.I.
There's alot of debate whether your Sump Pump should be plugged into GFCI
Several years ago, I looked at new home construction in my area and the sump pump did have a GFCI outlet.
It may be Local Codes that determines if one is needed.
I rewired my sump pump so it was on its own circuit breaker and went with GFCI
I have never had a problem with it tripping, but I understand (big time) someone's concern.
To put my mind at ease, I plugged a night-light into the outlet so every time I go into the basement, I can immediately see
that the GFCI outlet has power.
I also removed the 1/2 HP sump pump and replaced it with 1/3 HP (still very effective).
G.F.C.I. = Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
May NOT completely prevent electrical shocks. It may just reduce it so you are not killed, (we're talking millionth of a second).
G.F.C.I. will protect all outlets down-stream of it but are more effective if the outlet your using is 'closer' to the G.F.C.I.
There's alot of debate whether your Sump Pump should be plugged into GFCI
Several years ago, I looked at new home construction in my area and the sump pump did have a GFCI outlet.
It may be Local Codes that determines if one is needed.
I rewired my sump pump so it was on its own circuit breaker and went with GFCI
I have never had a problem with it tripping, but I understand (big time) someone's concern.
To put my mind at ease, I plugged a night-light into the outlet so every time I go into the basement, I can immediately see
that the GFCI outlet has power.
I also removed the 1/2 HP sump pump and replaced it with 1/3 HP (still very effective).
Okay, so im going to put a GFCI at the head of the daisychain in my garage, and a surge protector outlet at the point of connection of my PEV. This seems best, to me anyway.
I have my low voltage landscape lights on a GFCI circuit. It will trip for no apparent reason now and then. GFCI are very sensitive. What does the PEV recommend? If you need it, you need it but there is a risk the circuit will trip and leave you uncharged when you assumed it was charging.
Outlets in a garage should be GFCI protected based on current electrical code. It doesn't have to be a GFCI outlet itself - it can be downstream from a GFCI outlet (same circuit) or on a circuit with a GFCI breaker.
That's the best idea. Just make sure you can determine which outlet is the "first" in the chain.
Moisture is most likely culprit, especially considering they are outside lights
It doesn't but outlets in garages are required to be GFCI protected.
and AFCI. but I would bet no more than 25% of the houses near me are.
The hilljacks that replaced the wiring in my house in 2011 when it was copper stripped while vacant.. put in GFCI outlets on front and back of house.. both are GFCI.. and if the back one trips the front one will turn off.. which would be ok except its also a GFCI outlet.
That took a min to figure out after the 25w of christmas lights tripped it.
House is mostly protected by CAFCI breakers except for certain circuits such as fridge and dishwasher.
Did I mention 8 of them were wired incorrectly but fixed after the home inspection.
It isn't the PEV that needs protecting, it's the people using it. A GFCI monitors the current on the hot and neutral wires in the circuit. If the current on the two conductors varies by more than 5 milliamps, it shuts off the power in less than a tenth of a second. As little as 50 milliamps of current can be fatal. Circuit breakers only protect the wiring and the equipment plugged into the circuit. In theory, on a 20 amp circuit it would be possible to electrocute 400 people without tripping the circuit breaker. Nuisance tripping can be aggravating, but it's a small price to pay to prevent injuries or death. The National Electric Code requires that all receptacles in a garage be GFCI protected. This would apply to new construction or installations only.
Yes, the OP said he wants to protect his PEV. Which is where my question came from.
The electrician wbo did it in 2006 did this for me, but I verified the #1. My house is still seemingly to code, lol. Very well built. Commissioned by an engineer.
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Many well punps in my area have died to lightning. No people, yet. It does not rain inside my garage, nor is there any plumbing.
Yeah, this is a different issue. Now you're talking about surge protection. Some utilities offer to install them at the meter box for whole house protection. Of course, they want to charge you a monthly fee.
I installed one in my breaker box that runs 50 amps to ground in case of a strike/surge. I wanted to protect appliances, etc. Then also have installed "point of use" protectors for sensitive electronic equipment.
I chose the Eaton brand, but there are others.
Exactly. All my garage outlets were not GFI, but they were daisy chained from a GFI plug on the outside of the house. Took me a while to figure out when it tripped because it was at completely the opposite side of the house.
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