Installing GFCI outlets in your home anywhere water and electric could meet, will help keep you and your family safer.
A GFCI Outlet (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) is a device that detects when small amounts of electrical power is misdirected to ground. Water is an excellent electrical conductor to ground and if you are in between the power source and the ground you become part of the circuit, causing injury or possible death.
The GFCI Outlet will sense when this is the case and trip (turn off) the device, stopping power from traveling through it.
Building codes now require the installation of these devices in all new homes and renovation projects, but a lot of older home do not have them.
If you have an older home you can protect your family by installing GFCI outlets in any location where there is an electrical outlet and water or high moisture levels, such as Kitchen sink area, bathrooms, Garages and outdoor outlets.
Before even removing the cover plate on an electric outlet, be sure the power is turned off at the circuit breaker or fuse panel. Us an electrical tester to be certain the power is off.
Remove the cover plate, then remove the 2 screws holding the outlet into the box. There may be multiple wire on the outlet, one set will be the power feed to the outlet and the others will feed out to other locations. It is important to figure out which is the feed and where the others go to determine if you want the feed thru to be protected with the GFCI.
One GFCI can protect just that outlet or can protect a series outlets that are on the same circuit.
This video will explain how to install a GFCI Outlet in your home.
Special note: Turn off electrical power and test to be sure, before doing any electrical work.
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