Electrical circuit problems are among the leading causes of house fires, fire-related deaths, and electrocutions in the United States. Electrical faults are a major cause. Fortunately, you can mitigate that risk with arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) and ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Homeowners need to understand the following things about how these systems can help maximize protection.
The Basics of Circuit Protection
The core of any good modern circuit protection system is an electrical panel with circuit breakers. Such a system handles two problems very well. First, it addresses overloads along circuits, when a circuit draws more power than it can safely handle. Second, it handles short circuits when electrical paths get mixed.
This can leave two major gaps in protection. The first is an arc fault, which occurs when electricity escapes the circuit, such as when someone hammers a nail through the wall into a wire. The circuit is technically still complete, so the breaker never trips.
The second gap is a ground fault. This occurs when a circuit finds a path to the ground, for example, from a hair dryer to spilled water and then onto a person.
AFCI
An arc fault circuit interrupter monitors for signs of an unintended discharge inside the circuit. In the earlier example, a nail went into a wall. The electricity now flows from the wire into the nail, producing heat that can cause a fire.
Arc faults can also arise from deteriorated or even loose wiring. For example, rodents are prone to chewing on wiring. In addition to the problem of having a dead mouse or squirrel in your home’s wall, you may have a hidden fire hazard. This can lurk for years until the necessary conditions cause a fire.
The genius of an AFCI is that it contains a microprocessor. The system monitors for unexpected changes in the electrical discharge. Notably, it ignores transient changes, such as minor sparks when you plug something into an outlet.
Most AFCIs operate as distinct breakers on the electrical panel. A few common variants of AFCIs move the monitoring to spots like the outlet. There are also combination AFCIs that can address serial and parallel arcs.
Use Cases for AFCIs
Generally, AFCIs work best in areas where people tend to put lots of nails and screws in the wall. AFCIs in bedrooms have been a requirement under the National Electrical Code (NEC) for more than a quarter of a century. Family rooms, dining rooms, and living rooms are also good spots for AFCIs. Likewise, many homeowners like to have them in hallways.
Updated versions of the NEC also include requirements for AFCIs in kitchens and laundry rooms. During new construction, you should strongly consider adding AFCIs to all circuits throughout your new house.
GFCIs
Ground fault circuit interrupters are more outwardly visible solutions. If you’ve ever seen an outlet with two little buttons in the middle, there is a solid chance you were looking at a GFCI.
A GFCI tracks how the electricity from a circuit will flow from the hot wire before returning to the neutral one. If the imbalance is as small as 4 to 6 milliamps, the GFCI will stop power to the outlet in a fraction of a second.
The idea is that when something, such as a wet human being, has extended the circuit, there is a shift in the amperage in the circuit. That shift takes about 1/10 of a second to reach the level where it might electrocute. A GFCI cuts the power in about 1/40 of a second, thus reducing your electrocution risk.
Use Cases for GFCIs
The primary use of a GFCI is anywhere within 6 feet of a water source. You have likely noticed GFCIs in bathrooms and kitchens in other homes, even if your house doesn’t have them. You should also have GFCIs within 6 feet of any indoor water source, such as a basin in a garage.
All outdoor outlets need to have GFCIs. The risk of exposure from rain and other sources is too high to ignore. The same goes for hot tubs, pools, and wet bars.
GFCI Basics
The presence of a GFCI in the outlet means that it has a test and a reset button. The test button allows you to verify whether the GFCI activates under fault conditions. Hitting reset allows you to restore a tripped GFCI to operation. Many have an LED light that will turn on when the GFCI trips. You can then hit Reset.
You need to be aware that recurring problems are likely a sign that something is wrong with the outlet or circuit. Older GFCIs can absorb moisture or wear out. If a GFCI trips constantly, one of our electricians can help you address the problem. A GFCI typically lasts 10-15 years, but some will fail within eight years.
Are GFCIs and Grounding the Same?
People understandably hear the word “ground” in both systems and assume GFCIs and grounding are the same thing. The ground is a system that provides a safe return path for excess electricity in a circuit. A GFCI can address electricity that takes an unexpected path, such as electrocuting a person.
Grounding is a method for sending the electricity somewhere predictable for safety reasons. A GFCI provides a method for dealing with unplanned paths.
Using AFCIs and GFCIs Together
You might have noticed that some of the use cases for AFCIs and GFCIs overlap. Does that mean you have to pick one type for each outlet? No, you can use them in conjunction. Modern outlets are even available with dual-function systems that serve both roles. This is especially great for rooms like kitchens, where the amount of required protection is significant.
Issues With Older Homes
AFCI and GFCI requirements were less thorough in previous eras. In fact, AFCI technologies are less than a century old. Consequently, many older homes don’t have these protections.
Never assume that fault protection is standard in a house. Even if it has increased in the last 25 years, the standard might have been different at the time of construction.
Also, local electrical codes tend to be downstream of changes to the National Electrical Code. Consequently, there may be some lag between a requirement in the NEC spec and in a house. For example, the AFCI requirement for bedrooms appeared in 1999, but don’t assume that a house built in 2000 automatically has AFCIs for its bedroom circuits.
Bryant Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric offers an impressive range of electrical services, including installation and repairs. We are also happy to perform AFCI and GFCI upgrades. We are a family business that has been around since 1940.
If you want to discuss AFCI or GFCI needs for a home in Louisville, KY, or the surrounding area, contact Bryant Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric right away.
