GFCI Outlet Installations in Leesburg, Lady Lake & Clermont, FL
Install GFCI Outlets for a Safer Home
Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets have been on the scene preventing electrocutions since the 1960s. Whether you know it or not, you have probably used these in your home. You most likely recognized them by their “Test” and “Reset” buttons. By monitoring the flow of electricity to devices plugged into it, a GFCI outlet can cut off the power the second a hairdryer is dropped into a bathtub. On top of that, the 2020 National Electrical Code requires GFCI outlets in certain areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and pool areas. Mr. Electric of Lake County. offers GFCI outlet installation services in Lake County, Florida. Our licensed electricians will help you install GFCI outlets in every place your home needs them. Learn more about how to install a GFCI outlet.
Understanding GFCI Outlets
Most of the time, your GFCI outlet functions like any other home outlet, supplying power to your devices and appliances. When there is a power surge or electricity leak from one of the devices in that outlet, the GFCI will trip. This redirects any excess electricity into a ground wire instead of allowing it to flow into a person or cause a fire. GFCI outlets can stop the flow of electricity within 1/30th of a second. GFCI outlets are available in 120-volt and 240-volt options.
How to Test Your GFCI Outlets
So, you’ve noticed the “Test” and “Reset” buttons on your outlet, but how do you use them? It’s important to test your GFCI outlets regularly to ensure they are working correctly. Also, testing your GFCI outlet is a good idea if the outlet isn’t supplying power. If your GFCI outlet has a switch attached to it, any fixtures attached to that switch will lose power while you test the outlet. In order to test your GFCI outlet:
- Stop the flow of electricity to the outlet by pressing the “Test” button
- Insert any small device into the outlet. It should not power on yet.
- Press the “Reset” button, restoring power to the outlet. The small electronic device should power on now.
Where Should I Install GFCI Outlets?
Now that you know all about the added safety benefits of GFCI outlets, you are probably wondering where you should install them. The best guide for this is the National Electrical Code, which was most recently updated in 2020. Initially, GFCI outlets were only required around pools and spas, but now they are required in countless rooms. When we help you install GFCI outlets, Mr. Electric of Lake County will also offer to inspect your home to help you understand which rooms need GFCI outlets. GFCI outlets are required in the following areas:
- Pools and spas since 1971
- Exterior outlets since 1973
- Bathrooms since 1975
- Garages since 1987
- Kitchen countertops since 1987
- Crawlspaces and unfinished basements since 1990
- Wet bars since 1993
- Laundry and utility rooms since 2005
Should I Install GFCI Outlets Everywhere?
GFCI outlets offer so many additional safety features that it’s easy to get eager and want to install them in every room of your home. However, there are some areas and appliances that can interact negatively with GFCI outlets, specifically any devices that emit a lot of heat or electromagnetic waves. Refrigerators and freezers produce slight electromagnetic fields, which will cause a GFCI outlet to trip if located near them. Irons, space heaters and other devices that produce intense heat can also confuse the breaker inside a GFCI outlet, causing it to trip repeatedly. It is also best to avoid plugging power strips into a GFCI outlet on a regular basis.
Request your GFCI outlet Installation Appointment Online
We hope this guide to GFCI outlet installation has helped you better understand this essential home electrical safety feature. If you are now wondering whether your outlets are safe and up to code, let us help you by inspecting your home’s electrical system. We will check more than just your outlets. Our team of experienced pros will go over everything from your wiring to your circuit box. Then, we will provide you with a detailed list of all the recommended repairs, highlighting any repairs that are urgent. Let us help you keep your home and your family safe. Request your GFCI outlet installation appointment online now.