An electrical short occurs when a pair of hot wires or a hot wire and a neutral wire come into contact with each other. When electric current is allowed to flow through a path other than the one that it was originally intended to follow it, in essence, takes a short cut thus the term "short." Worn out wire casings, cuts and other damage to the wire insulation are just a few of the causes. When a short occurs current overloads in the circuit causing immediate overheating in the wiring. What usually follows is a blown fuse (or tripped breaker).
When a hot lead touches a ground source such as a grounded appliance motor housing, a ground wire or some other grounded devise the resultant condition is known as a ground fault. In this case the current is redirected from the hot wire to the ground. This is because the ground has less resistance to electricity and therefore becomes an easier path for the electricity to follow.
It is safer for us to use an appliance or tool that is grounded. Theoretically, when a ground fault occurs the electricity is supposed to travel via the ground wire to the ground source not through the body. This theory is valid to some extent. However, if moisture is present the facts change. Water is the world's best known ground source. And water makes it easier for electricity to pass through the body. When wet we actually become a better ground than the ground wire in a three-wire circuit. This is why the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) was developed. Normally there is an equal balance between the current that travels in both the black hot lead and the white neutral lead. When a short or ground fault occurs an imbalance results that can be detected. When this happens a message is sent to the GFCI and it is tripped in one-fortieth of a second. That's a short enough period of time so that most healthy persons would not be injured.
In the home, one of the safety features that many of us take for granted is the GFCI. Now you might see how important they really can be.
There are three kinds of GFCI devices: the plug-in type, the built-in outlet type and the breaker type. The plug-in type is easiest to install and is very portable. This makes it great for use in the garage and outside. The built-in outlet type guarantees that the GFCI protection will be used by youngsters and the breaker type which is installed into the breaker panel can be used to protect an entire series of receptacles.
In its first days electricity overwhelmed America with new conveniences and pleasures. Shortly thereafter we discovered that electricity could also kill. This notion was eventually followed by safety programs that flagged electricity as a convenient form of energy that was a danger without equal. Now, with proper fusing electricity can be safer for everyone.
GFCIs should be installed at all receptacles within 4 feet of a sink, at all exterior and garage receptacles and at all electric fixtures over showers and tubs. The average GFCI receptacle in a subdivision home is rated at 15 amps. Two hair dryers plugged into the same circuit will trip a GFCI breaker. The tendency is to remove the receptacle and replace it with a non-GFCI type. Don't do it.
Spend $75 to $200 with an electrician and have the circuit upgraded to meet the demand you are putting on it. Removal of this safety device is just not worth the danger it poses to your loved ones.
