HHamp5246@aol.com wrote:

> A question from the electrically challenged............ The GFI circuit is the
> one that throws the circuit breaker if water shorts it?

Hunter,
A GFI circuit breaker compares the current in the hot (black) and neutral (white) wires and trips if there's more than 5 milliamps difference. The only time that will happen is if there is a "ground fault", IE current is flowing from the black wire to ground through a path OTHER than the neutral wire. This happens most commonly when a person is using a faulty appliance in a damp location and some
current goes through the person's body. The GFI breaker will prevent electrocution.

GFI breakers come in 2 styles: one that replaces a regular breaker in a panel; it protects the entire circuit. The other kind is built into a receptacle; it protects that receptacle and all downstream receptacles on the same circuit. GFI breakers are generally used only where it's likely that a person could hold a faulty appliance and be grounded at the same time, such as kitchen, bathroom, and
outdoor receptacles. You NEVER want to use one on the circuit that feeds your refigerator, freezer, or washer, as they'll sometimes trip for no reason. Those appliances should be on their own circuits anyway, and they should be grounded through the cord.

Naturally, a GFI will also protect the circuit against an overload, just like a regular breaker.

jdunmyer@toltbbs.com
lower SE Michigan, USA
mailto:jdunmyer@toltbbs.com