GFCI USE

1.  General Requirements
   1.  A ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) is a protective device that compares the amount of current going into electrical equipment with the amount of current returning from the equipment and if a targeted deviation (0.005 amperes) is exceeded, the circuit is quickly broken, often within as little as 25 milliseconds.
   2. The GFCI, however, does not protect from line-to-line contact hazards—such as a worker holding two “hot” wires or a hot and a neutral wire in each hand. It protects against the most common form of electrical shock hazard—the ground fault, and protects against fires, overheating, and destruction of insulation on wiring.
   3.  Testing GFCI’s
      1.  All GFCI plug-in adapters, attachable plugs and extension cords must be tested each day before being used. GFCI’s may be tested, by pushing in the test button, then check for external defects, such as deformed or missing pins or insulation damage, and for indications of possible internal damage.
      2. To test the GFCI, plug some sort of corded light into the GFCI. Once everything is plugged in, press RESET to prepare the GFCI for testing. Turn the light on and verify everything is working properly. Next press the TEST button on the GFCI and the light should turn off. Press the RESET button and the light should turn back on.
         1.  If the light never turns off, the GFCI should be tagged out and returned to the shop.
   4. Any GFCI’s that would not trip the test button or that is found damaged or defective shall not be used and must be tagged with a “Danger Unsafe Do Not Use” tag and turned into the shop.
   5. All corded equipment needs to be used with a GFCI
      1. If a piece of equipment trips a GFCI, it must be tagged with a “Danger Unsafe Do Not Use” tag and turned into the shop.
   6.  GFCI’s can be installed permanently (i.e. GFCI receptacle) or used temporarily to protect workers while performing certain tasks.