On Sunday 20 March 2005 11:10, Danny Sauer wrote:
On Sunday 20 March 2005 06:49 am, Kevanf1 wrote:
Here in the UK most places - I have them fitted at home - are now geared up with micro residual current circuit breakers too which trip out at the slightest hint of a short. It probably wouldn't save equipment but it would save your life from an electric shock.
Those are called GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets in the USA, and are typically only installed near water (in the kitchen and bathroom), as they cost about $7 instead of $0.50 for regular outlets. Many (most?) new houses are built as cheaply as possible over here. :(
--Danny, who generally uses GFCI outlets when feasible
Note: A ground fault interupter is designed to sense a small current flow from the hot side (not neutral) to ground. There should never be a current flow through this path . . . unless, of course, you are standing barefoot on the wet bathroom tile floor and the "hair dryer" in you hand has an internal short to one of the screws that holds it together, which you are touching. In that case, the GFI circuit will shut off faster that the current can screw up the beating rythym of your heart. Pretty neat, huh? And all this for $7.50. Ain't technology neat? John Sowden American Sentry Systems. Inc. 1221 Andersen Drive San Rafael, CA 94901 U.L. Listed Central Station Alarm Service Serving the San Francisco Bay Area Since 1967 mail@americansentry.net http://www.americansentry.net