Bathroom Gfci Outlet
Residential building codes do not specify a bathroom gfci outlet must sit at a certain height.
Bathroom gfci outlet. A ground fault circuit interrupter is a protective device specifically designed to break the circuit every time there is an imbalance between incoming and outgoing current. Gfci have highly responsive internal circuitry to detect whenever there s a flaw in the electric system. The rules that apply to installation of a gfci outlet receptacle on a 15 or and 20 amp rated circuit breaker are the same as the ones that apply to a regular outlet receptacle. The bottom one which is usually red is the reset button and you have to press it to restore power after.
The gfci outlet protects electrical wiring and receptacles from overheating and possible fire greatly minimizing the risk of shock injuries and fatal burns. If you are replacing an old not gfci type bathroom receptacle you have to install currently. With time the sensitive circuitry wears out rendering the outlet dysfunctional. The bathroom gfci outlet is recognizable by the two pushbuttons on its face.
The general requirement is the outlet must be within 36 inches of water basins. The top one which is often black is a test button and when you press it the breaker should trip which is how you know your bathroom gfci outlet is working. If you ve tried all else and the gfci outlet reset doesn t solve the problem that means outlet itself is defective. Bathroom gfci receptacle must be located within 3 36 900 mm from the basins outside edge.
Gfci protection is designed to prevent the shocks that might occur when a ground fault occurs and it can be provided by special gfci outlet receptacles or by a gfci circuit breaker that protects the entire circuit. An outlet should sit at each basin or sometimes the code may specify one outlet can serve two basins if it s located between the two basins. Take safety precautions before you install a gfci electrical outlet. That way if there is an imbalance in current flowing from the hot wire to the neutral the gfci outlet will detect it and shut off the circuit.
This does not mean that every outlet must have a gfci only the first. The receptacle outlet which is located in the bathroom must be protected by a gfci device which would either be a gfci circuit breaker or a gfci outlet. 20 ampere rated gfci outlet receptacle. Whenever installing a gfci outlet receptacle on a 20 amp breaker what should be used a 20 amp gfci or is a 15 amp gfci ok too.
The outlet in one bathroom is not a gfci but is wired to a gfci in another bathroom the two bathrooms do not share a wall. The nec requires that all outlet receptacles in a bathroom be gfci protected.