EVERYONE WHO mows a lawn,
trims a hedge or does other yard
work with power tools this spring
needs to know about the impor-
tance of ground fault circuit inter-
rupters (GFCIs).

GFCls protect users of ground-
ed portable electrical tools, like
lawn mowers, and appliances
from leakage of electrical current.
The Canadian electrical code re-
quires bathroom and outdoor
receptacles (electrical outlets) in all
new family dwellings to be pro-
“tected by GFCIs.

A GFCI offers protection when
a ground fault, which is leakage
of electrical current to the ground
wire instead of the intended path
along the circuit, occurs. When
there is a ground fault, a GFCI
automatically stops the flow of
electricity before any damage is
done.

A GFCI plays a crucial role if,
for instance, moisture seeps into
the electrical components of a
lawn mower which has been left
outside. The moisture can act as a
conductor of electricity between
the machine’s current-carrying
wire and the grounded metal

parts.

Without GFCI, the leakage cur-
rent could energize the lawn
mower housing (frame) and pose a
shock hazard to the user.

When such leakage occurs,
GFCis shut the power off in much
the same way as fuses and circuit
breakers do during overloads.
GFCls provide additional protec-
tion to fuses and circuit breakers,
but they do not replace them.

A GFCI takes less time than a
single heartbeat to cut power
when it senses unwanted current
leakage on a ground wire. Five
milliamperes of current trigger the

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Friday, March 29, 1991 - North Shore News - 15
a a

HOME & GARDEN

GFCis protect garden
from electrical shock

HOT TIPS

North Vancouver
District Fire Department

unit which instantly opens the cir-
cuit; this stops the electricity
within a fraction of a second.

Studies have shown an electrical
shock of 30 to 200 milliamperes
makes breathing difficult and
could result in unconsciousness or
death.

Anyone who doesn’t have GFCI
protection on outdoor and
bathroom receptacles, would be
wise to retrofit or use portable
GFCIs which can be plugged in-
to receptacles. They can be mov-
ed from one area to another and
between home and cottage.

The cost of GFCIs has dropped
dramatically since they first went
on the market for approximately

$240 each (reflecting development .

costs) in the late 1960s. The cost
has dropped steadily with ad-
vances in the relevant technology
to reach the current price tag of
$20 to $25 per unit.

GFClIs can be tested to ensure
they are working properly and
have been correctly installed using
their “‘test’’ and ‘reset’? buttons.

The power to the outlet should
be stopped when the test button is
depressed. Test to see if this hap-
pens by plugging in and turning
on a small appliance such as a
radio or lamp. If the appliance
works when the test button is
depressed, the GFC] is either faul-
ty or it has been installed incor-
rectly.

If the power is disconnected and
the appliance doesn’t work when
the test button is activated, the
GFCI is functioning. The power

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can be restored by pushing the
reset button. Test GFCIs each
month to ensure they are pro-
viding ground fault protection .

ff your GFCI trips frequently,
have the tool or appliance that has
tripped the device checked for
safety.

For further information contact
the District of North Vancouver
Fire Department non-emergency
number, 980-7575,

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