BROKEN/MISSING GFCI, AFCI

H.  BROKEN/MISSING GFCI, AFCI, or  BAD CIRCUIT BREAKER:
Ground fault interrupt (GFCI) devices in houses are essentially “quick trip” circuit breaker devices that are capable of detecting current leakage to ground.  They will interrupt the power if more than 5 milliamp leakage is detected.  These devices will undoubtedly save lives, but due to their sensitivity, they are prone to failure.  GFCI, also called ground fault interrupt protection, is usually provided in several different ways.  Either a GFCI circuit breaker will be installed within the main panel (Fig. H1, Item A) to protect an entire wiring circuit which is usually run to several different receptacles, or a single GFCI receptacle is installed to protect a number of other receptacles (Fig. H1, Item B) on the same circuit.  Occasionally, an individual receptacle will contain a GFCI device for that receptacle only.  If an outlet appears to be dead and is located in the garage, the bathroom, or outdoor receptacle box, make sure any and all GFCI devices are pushed to the reset position.  Occasionally, a device will trip if the bathroom is too misty or even if there has been rainy weather.  Ground fault circuitry is not checked.

Fig. H1

The “AFCI” is an arc fault circuit interrupter. AFCIs are newly-developed electrical devices designed to protect against fires caused by arcing faults in the home electrical wiring.

Arcing faults often occur in damaged or deteriorated wires and cords. Some causes
of damaged and deteriorated wiring include puncturing of wire insulation from picture
hanging or cable staples, poorly installed outlets or switches, cords caught in doors
or under furniture, furniture pushed against plugs in an outlet, natural aging, and cord exposure to heat vents and sunlight.

Conventional circuit breakers only respond to overloads. They do not protect against arcing conditions that produce erratic current flow. An AFCI is selective so that normal arcs do not cause it to trip. The AFCI circuitry continuously monitors current flow through the AFCI. AFCIs use unique current sensing circuitry to discriminate between normal and unwanted arcing conditions. Once an unwanted arcing condition is detected, the control circuitry in theAFCI trips the internal contacts, thus de-energizing the circuit and reducing the potential for a fire to occur. An AFCI should not trip during normal arcing conditions, which can occur when a switch is opened or a plug is pulled from a receptacle. Presently, AFCIs are designed into conventional circuit breakers combining traditional overload and short-circuit protection with arc fault protection. AFCI circuit breakers (AFCIs) have a test button and look similar to ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) circuit breakers. Some designs combine GFCI and AFCI protection. Additional AFCI design configurations are anticipated in the near future.

BAD CIRCUIT BREAKERS can either trip with less than a full load, freeze and not trip at all, or trip and not reset.  A buzzing sound from a circuit breaker is common, as well as one that is warm to the touch.  A hot circuit breaker usually indicates a bad connection and should be checked out and repaired.

INSPECTION LIMITATION WARNING: These can be intermittent and generally will not be determined during an inspection.

WHAT TO:  HOW TO:
A failed device should be replaced.  One that instantly trips upon being reset may indicate trouble on the circuit.  This latter condition merits a serious check by a professional electrician.  GFCI circuit protection devices in bathrooms or located outside houses will often trip due to excess moisture in the air.  Make sure exterior receptacles are housed in weather tight junction boxes.  The typical weather protected box, which has two hinged covers with gaskets, often fail.  Hinges will break, or the gaskets shrink and fall out. Better boxes are angled to shed water and will remain tightly sealed.   Landscape lighting with extension cord type wires between lighting fixtures often trip GFCI devices.

Replace any know defective circuit breakers immediately.

REFERENCE: E1, E2, E6, E7

APPLICABLE PRODUCTS: EP1