How Do I Test My GFCI Outlet’s Performance?

Anyone can handle testing a GFCI outlet’s performance in just a few easy steps. However, like any other electrical service involving your home’s system, you must perform each step carefully without diverging from an electrician’s professional instructions. Mr. Electric of St. Paul’s highly trained and qualified professional electricians can explain the process while on the phone with you or while visiting your home during a scheduled service. We’ve outlined the essential steps to test your GFCI outlet below to ensure you can verify its performance. Be sure to get in touch with us to schedule a GFCI replacement if your outlet fails any part of the testing process: Press the “Test” button on your receptacle to stop electrical flow. Plug in a small electrical device that requires minimal power to run, such as a night light, to verify there is no current flowing to your receptacle. You can return the power flow to your outlet by pressing the "Reset" button.

What Are GFCI Outlets’ Limitations?

Mr. Electric of St. Paul proudly installs GFCI outlets as part of our comprehensive electrical services for households throughout St. Paul, MN. However, you need to know about the limitations these outlets have. You must never use a GFCI outlet as a power receptacle for a refrigerator or freezer. These appliances can generate electromagnetic interference that will trip GFCI outlets and shut down power flow. These outlets are incompatible with most dryers and stoves because these heavy-duty appliances require 240-amp power outlets to run safely. Many small appliances and devices with heating elements, such as hair dryers, irons, and toaster ovens, can also trip GFCI outlets. Finally, you will trip a GFCI outlet if you connect it to an extension cord while plugging too many devices into it.

Upgrade Your Outlets in St. Paul, MN

You can find many older homes with years or decades of use without GFCI outlets. This lack of these outlets endangers a home’s occupants by increasing electrical shock risks. If your home requires GFCI outlet installation, don’t hesitate to reach out to Mr. Electric of St. Paul. We perform quick and careful work when installing electrical outlets right the first time. Waiting to update your home’s outlets only prolongs your household’s exposure to potential injuries and damage. GFCI outlets inexpensive devices that can potentially save your life. Our technicians work with you when planning and performing outlet installations to ensure your home meets the latest building code requirements. You and your electronics will be safer with new outlets. Contact us today to schedule an installation or replacement at your home.

Electrical Outlet Installation in St Paul, MN

Mr. Electric Installs & Replaces Your Electrical Outlets

You might have old outlets at your home or business, or they’re unable to support your appliances and electronics’ power needs. Washers, dryers, ovens, and other heavy-duty appliances need special outlets, and areas with high moisture without proper outlets can endanger your house and family. Mr. Electric of St. Paul helps your household or commercial property stay safe and up to code by performing outlet installation services at St. Paul, South Metro, and other Twin Cities-area properties. GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets are inexpensive, enhance electrical safety, and protect people and devices against electrical shock risk. Our expert electricians can install GFCI outlets in various spaces to ensure your family members and electronics don’t risk shock while drawing power to run. These outlets also ensure your house meets modern building code standards. You can contact us to schedule GFCI installation replacements. Our highly trained and qualified technicians work quickly and carefully to improve your property’s electrical safety and functionality.

Mr. Electric Installs & Replaces Your Electrical Outlets

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According to today’s building codes, GFCI outlets must be in areas posing the highest electrical shock risk, such as garages, kitchens, and bathrooms. You can spot GFCI outlets with their “Test” and “Reset” buttons on the receptacles. Mr. Electric of St. Paul recommends staying up to code and enhancing your home’s electrical safety by installing GFCI outlets. These outlets effectively prevent shocks, fires, and other damage and injuries. Our electricians use these outlets to protect you and your electronic devices against electrical hazards by monitoring the amount of electricity flowing in your circuit. The GFCI immediately cuts power in an outlet the moment it detects an electricity flow imbalance. With our technicians’ skills and expertise, we quickly and safely install GFCI outlets to provide adequate protection against harm and damage.
After Mr. Electric of St. Paul finishes your electrical outlet installation, it’s fairly simple to use your new outlets. If your installation involves GFCI outlets, you won’t notice many differences between operating this outlet type and any standard outlet. All you need to do is press the "Reset" button whenever your GFCI outlet cuts power flow under normal operating conditions. These outlets are substantially more reliable than leaving the job up to your electrical panel’s circuit breaker to shut down the current flow when an imbalance happens. GFCI outlets are more sensitive to these small current variations than your circuit breakers. Furthermore, manufacturers design GFCI outlets to sever power flow before getting shocked by an outlet will affect your heartbeat. We gladly protect your well-being with this critical safety function, and testing all your home’s GFCI outlets monthly is essential.

Areas Where GFCI Outlets Are Required

Since 1971, building codes have mandated installing GFCI outlets in homes. Initially, building codes required property owners to use these outlets for swimming pool equipment and along a pool’s surrounding exterior walls. Today’s latest building codes require GFCI outlets in various additional areas in and around your home. The codes mandate placing GFCI outlets, especially where electrical shock risk is higher due to factors like possible exposure to water. You are required to install GFCI outlets in the following areas:

Pool and spa areas (since 1971)
Your home's exterior (sense 1973)
Bathrooms (since 1975)
Kitchen countertops (since 1987)
Unfinished basements and crawlspaces (since 1990)
Wet bars (since 1993)
Utility and laundry sinks (since 2005)

Anyone can handle testing a GFCI outlet’s performance in just a few easy steps. However, like any other electrical service involving your home’s system, you must perform each step carefully without diverging from an electrician’s professional instructions. Mr. Electric of St. Paul’s highly trained and qualified professional electricians can explain the process while on the phone with you or while visiting your home during a scheduled service. We’ve outlined the essential steps to test your GFCI outlet below to ensure you can verify its performance. Be sure to get in touch with us to schedule a GFCI replacement if your outlet fails any part of the testing process:
1. Press the “Test” button on your receptacle to stop electrical flow.
2. Plug in a small electrical device that requires minimal power to run, such as a night light, to verify there is no current flowing to your receptacle.
3. You can return the power flow to your outlet by pressing the "Reset" button.
Mr. Electric of St. Paul proudly installs GFCI outlets as part of our comprehensive electrical services for households throughout St. Paul, MN. However, you need to know about the limitations these outlets have. You must never use a GFCI outlet as a power receptacle for a refrigerator or freezer. These appliances can generate electromagnetic interference that will trip GFCI outlets and shut down power flow. These outlets are incompatible with most dryers and stoves because these heavy-duty appliances require 240-amp power outlets to run safely. Many small appliances and devices with heating elements, such as hair dryers, irons, and toaster ovens, can also trip GFCI outlets. Finally, you will trip a GFCI outlet if you connect it to an extension cord while plugging too many devices into it.
You can find many older homes with years or decades of use without GFCI outlets. This lack of these outlets endangers a home’s occupants by increasing electrical shock risks. If your home requires GFCI outlet installation, don’t hesitate to reach out to Mr. Electric of St. Paul. We perform quick and careful work when installing electrical outlets right the first time. Waiting to update your home’s outlets only prolongs your household’s exposure to potential injuries and damage. GFCI outlets inexpensive devices that can potentially save your life. Our technicians work with you when planning and performing outlet installations to ensure your home meets the latest building code requirements. You and your electronics will be safer with new outlets. Contact us today to schedule an installation or replacement at your home.

Residential & Commercial Services

Residential
Commercial

Book Online

First & Last Name*

Email*

Phone Number*

ZIP/Postal Code*

Yes! You can text me service reminders and other messages.

By entering your email address, you agree to receive emails about services, updates or promotions, and you agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Electrical Outlet Installation in St Paul, MN

Mr. Electric Installs & Replaces Your Electrical Outlets

Book Online

What Is a GFCI Outlet?

How Do I Operate a GFCI Outlet?

Areas Where GFCI Outlets Are Required

How Do I Test My GFCI Outlet’s Performance?

What Are GFCI Outlets’ Limitations?

Upgrade Your Outlets in St. Paul, MN

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