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GFCI Outlet Installation in Houston Midtown, TX

Times & Places to Install GFCI Outlets

Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets were invented in 1965 and have saved countless adults and children from electrical shock. GFCI outlets are easily recognizable by the “Test” and “Reset” buttons on the receptacles. Hopefully, you already have these outlets in rooms like your bathroom, laundry room, and kitchen. In rooms with frequent wetness or moisture, GFCI outlets are essential safety devices. In fact, the National Electrical Code requires them in these spaces in most cases. If your home doesn’t have GFCI outlets in West University, Bellaire, or the Houston Midtown, TX neighborhood, let Mr. Electric of Houston Midtown’s talented team provide the necessary GFCI outlet installation services to keep you and your family safe. We’ll inspect all your home’s outlets and provide a detailed list of recommendations for where installing GFCI outlets is mandatory or will benefit you. Get more information about installing GFCI outlets in your home from our friendly and knowledgeable service professionals.

GFCI Outlet Installation in Houston Midtown, TX

Times & Places to Install GFCI Outlets

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  • You may notice that GFCIs don’t look very different from the standard home outlets, except for their “Test” and “Reset” buttons. However, these innovative outlets include an advanced safety feature you won’t find with traditional electrical outlets. Your GFCI outlet continuously monitors how much electricity flows through the outlet to detect an unusual amount. If a device plugged into one of these outlets suddenly pulls more electricity from it or starts leaking electricity, it will trip and ground the excess electricity. This simple feature can potentially save your life in situations like dropping a hairdryer into a bathtub while it’s connected to power. When a GFCI outlet trips, it cuts the electricity flow within 1/30th of a second.

  • If you’re unaware of how to operate a GFCI outlet, you might deal with significant confusion. When a GFCI outlet trips, and you don’t notice it, you may assume you have a broken outlet if you don’t understand how to reset it. Furthermore, you must learn how to test the GFCI outlets around your home to ensure they provide a continuous and reliable level of protection. If a device isn’t receiving power from your GFCI outlet, you should start by pressing the reset button. If this step doesn’t restore power to your device, the next step is testing your GFCI outlet. If it turns out you have a broken outlet, Mr. Electric of Houston Midtown can restore your safe and reliable power with our GFCI outlet installation services. Read through the following steps to learn how to test your GFCI outlets:

    1. Trip your breaker by pushing the “Test” button and immediately cutting off the electricity flow.
    2. Plug in a nightlight or another small electronic device. The device you plug in shouldn’t receive power or light up at this step.
    3. Press the “Reset” button to return power to your outlet, letting the connected electronic device turn on or light up.
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Does the National Electrical Code Require GFCI Outlets?

Since the electrical industry first introduced GFCI outlets, they have been proven so safe that the National Electrical Code (NEC) has widened the scope of their use in residential and commercial structures. At first, the NEC only required GFCI outlets around swimming pools and spas. Today, the electrical code requires GFCI outlets in nearly any room with regular moisture or wetness. The following list indicates all rooms where GFCI outlets should be installed, as stipulated by the 2020 Electrical Code. If any of these areas around your home lack GFCI outlets, let Mr. Electric of Houston Midtown get you up to code. GFCI outlets are required in the following spaces:

  • Around spas and pools since 1971
  • On exterior outlets since 1973
  • In bathrooms since 1975
  • In garages since 1987
  • On kitchen countertops since 1987
  • In unfinished basements and crawlspaces since 1990
  • In wet bars since 1993
  • In utility and laundry rooms since 2005

  • While GFCI outlets can save your life in a wide array of situations, they are not suitable options for all appliances or areas. Many devices that create electromagnetic interference or heat can lead to GFCI outlets tripping regularly, ruining their effectiveness. Refrigerators and freezers create a minor-but-noticeable electromagnetic field that may confuse a GFCI outlet and cause it to trip. Likewise, some devices like irons, toaster ovens, and space heaters can produce sufficient heat to result in GFCI outlets tripping repeatedly. Furthermore, you should never plug extension cords or power strips into any GFCI outlets if you can avoid it. The electricity these devices require to power multiple electronic items can negatively affect your GFCI outlet’s ability to work correctly.

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