GFCI Outlet Installation in Riverside, CA
When and Where Do I Install GFCI Outlets?
Ground fault circuit interrupter outlets, also called GFCI outlets, were invented in 1965 and have successfully prevented electrocution for countless people. You can identify GFCI outlets because of the “Test” and “Reset” buttons they feature. Hopefully, these outlets are already in rooms like your bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room. GFCI outlets are especially important safety devices in rooms with wetness or moisture. In most cases, the National Electrical Code requires these outlets to ensure safety. If your home doesn’t have GFCI outlets in Riverside, CA, let Mr. Electric of Riverside’s expert electrical team perform the quick and careful GFCI outlet installation services you need to avoid fires and electrocution. After inspecting all your home’s outlets, we’ll provide you with a detailed recommendation for locations throughout your house installing GFCI outlets is necessary or advisable. Get more information about how our technicians install GFCI outlets in all types of homes!
What Is a GFCI Outlet?
There doesn’t appear to be much difference between GFCI outlets and standard outlets, except for the “Test” and “Reset” buttons on them. However, installing GFCIs gives you advanced safety features you don’t get with traditional electrical outlets. Your GFCI outlet continuously monitors how much electricity is flowing through it. If an electronic device pulls too much electricity from the outlet or the outlet starts leaking electricity, it will trip and ground any excess electricity. This special feature can potentially save your life in cases like if you accidentally drop a hairdryer or another device into a bathtub. A GFCI outlet will trip automatically to cut off electricity flow within 1/30th of a second.
Be Sure to Test Your GFCI Outlets
If you have never learned how to operate a GFCI outlet, doing so for the first time can be very confusing. If your GFCI outlet trips and you don’t notice it, you may assume it’s broken if you’re unaware of how to reset it. Another essential step to learn about is knowing how to test GFCI outlets. This step ensures your GFCIs always provide the proper level of protection against shock. If your GFCI outlet doesn’t provide power to a device you’ve plugged into it, you should start by pressing the reset button. If the reset button does not restore power to your device, you should continue by testing your GFCI outlet to verify it works correctly. If you have a broken outlet, Mr. Electric of Riverside specializes in GFCI outlet installation services at homes throughout the area. To test your GFCI outlet, follow the steps below:
- Trip the breaker by pushing the “Test.” This step cuts off the electricity flowing to it.
- Plug in a nightlight or another small electronic device. The device shouldn’t turn on or receive power yet.
- Finish by pressing the “Reset” button. Electricity should flow to the outlet again and let the electronic device power on or light up.
Does the National Electrical Code Require GFCI Outlets?
Since GFCI outlets were first introduced, their safety has proven to be so beneficial that the National Electrical Code has expanded on where to use them in various residential structures. At first, codes only required GFCI outlets around swimming pools and spas. Today, the electrical code mandated installing them in nearly any room with regular exposure to moisture or wetness. The list below includes all rooms the 2020 Electrical Code requires to have GFCI outlets. If your home features any of these areas and they lack GFCI outlets, let Mr. Electric of Riverside help you get your home up to code. The code requires GFCI outlets in the following areas:
- Around pools and spas starting in 1971
- On exterior outlets starting in 1973
- In bathrooms starting in 1975
- In garages starting in 1987
- On kitchen countertops starting in 1987
- In unfinished basements and crawlspaces starting in 1990
- In wet bars starting in 1993
- In utility and laundry rooms starting in 2005
Is There Anywhere a GFCI Outlet Shouldn’t Be Installed?
While GFCI outlets can save your life in various situations around your home situation, these outlets aren’t suited for every appliance or area. Many devices produce electromagnetic interference or heat that can cause GFCI outlets to trip repeatedly, so they’re ineffective with these devices. Refrigerators and freezers create a slight yet noticeable electromagnetic field, which can confuse GFCI outlets and cause them to trip and cut power. Similarly, irons, toaster ovens, space heaters, and other devices can produce sufficient heat to cause GFCI outlets to trip frequently. Furthermore, you should never plug power strips or extension cords into GFCI outlets if you can avoid it. The electricity multiple devices require to power them simultaneously can affect your GFCI outlet and prevent it from working correctly.
Request an Appointment Online for GFCI Outlet Installation!
If you don’t have GFCI outlets in the right rooms in your home, you and your family could be in danger of electric shock. GFCI installation services are quick and affordable solutions, and their immense safety benefits make them well worth the investment. Let Mr. Electric of Riverside work with you to determine which rooms in your home need GFCI outlets, and we’ll carefully install GFCI outlets for you to ensure your safety and convenience. Reach out to us today to schedule a GFCI outlet installation appointment online!