As you all know, it's reasonably (some might say UN reasonably) dry in AZ. All my exterior outlets are GFIs and covered. All the shop outlets, except the two 220s, are also GFIs. The only GFIs in the house are in the kitchen and baths. Knock on wood, none of them have tripped in 20 some years. 

24 minutes ago, Gene Howe said:

As you all know, it's reasonably (some might say UN reasonably) dry in AZ. All my exterior outlets are GFIs and covered. All the shop outlets, except the two 220s, are also GFIs. The only GFIs in the house are in the kitchen and baths. Knock on wood, none of them have tripped in 20 some years. 

Been monsoon season here.

2 hours ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

Been monsoon season here

It's SPRING in the south--no??? Kinda early but I'll take it.

Currently 72F   low tonight 62F   with low humidity

 

It's the 80's & 90's, temp & humidity,  that make it tough!

 

Had the AC on for the last couple of days.  What can I say SWMBO wanted it on. Guess who won!

Edited March 14, 20206 yr by smitty10101

We had our house completely rewired and up to code in 2005.  For the first time, we have outlets outside, both front and back.  It is one circuit for some strange reason to me.  The wire leaves the breaker box, goes to the back where a GCFI is covered (the little green LED has quit)and then goes under the house to the front where there is a second GCFI (with the little green LED) that is also covered.  I suppose from all the Florida humidity, that they are breaking down.  When I use the weedwacker, they will quit after about an hour.  But, I need a break at that time too.  I had to replace the one behind the microwave as it completely shut down.  I am not electrician by any stretch of the imagination, but I simply swapped wires with the circuit off, of course.  I checked it and it appeared to be working.  Stuffed it back in the box and plugged in the microwave.  It has worked now for about 6 months.  I am so proud of myself.   I'll get a couple more for the 2 outside.  Thanks for this thread.  I had no idea about the work life of these units, but apparently, they age like we do.  

3 hours ago, FlGatorwood said:

The wire leaves the breaker box, goes to the back where a GCFI is covered (the little green LED has quit)and then goes under the house to the front where there is a second GCFI (with the little green LED) that is also covered. 

Are you sure they are on one circuit?? Are you sure they are both GFCI's?

 

Artie & DuckSoup  correct if I'm wrong but you shouldn't/can't have more than one GFCI in a circuit.

 

Let me amend that---According to Google--the "brains" of the internet-- you may/can have more than one GFCI in a circuit --BUT various problems MAY arise. So I'm guessing if you are not experiencing problems, was installed correctly, & passed inspection then you're good to go.

 

Thank goodness for Google.!?!?!?

Edited March 14, 20206 yr by smitty10101
add'l wording

1 hour ago, smitty10101 said:

Are you sure they are on one circuit?? Are you sure they are both GFCI's?

 

Artie & DuckSoup  correct if I'm wrong but you shouldn't/can't have more than one GFCI in a circuit.

 

Let me amend that---According to Google--the "brains" of the internet-- you may/can have more than one GFCI in a circuit --BUT various problems MAY arise. So I'm guessing if you are not experiencing problems, was installed correctly, & passed inspection then you're good to go.

 

Thank goodness for Google.!?!?!?

That's what the electrician told me.  I can turn off both with the same circuit breaker.  15 amps on 12 gauge wire.  

Edited March 14, 20206 yr by FlGatorwood

4 hours ago, smitty10101 said:

Are you sure they are on one circuit?? Are you sure they are both GFCI's?

 

Artie & DuckSoup  correct if I'm wrong but you shouldn't/can't have more than one GFCI in a circuit.

 

Let me amend that---According to Google--the "brains" of the internet-- you may/can have more than one GFCI in a circuit --BUT various problems MAY arise. So I'm guessing if you are not experiencing problems, was installed correctly, & passed inspection then you're good to go.

 

Thank goodness for Google.!?!?!?

A gfi receptacle has two sets of terminals on either side (plus a ground screw). One set of screws is for line, and the other set of screws is load. The circuit comes in on the line screws, goes through the gfi circuitry and can then come out on the load terminals, thus protecting all devices further down line on the circuit. Thus one gfi can protect an entire circuit. From an economical standpoint it’s cheaper to use 1 gfi on one side, feed through the gfi and then use a regular duplex receptacle on the other side. You can connect the live lines to the line outlets on the gfi, and not use the load terminals and then go to another gfi receptacle and use that gfi’s line terminals. Both gfi’s are fed, and neither of them will affect the other. This will cost 2 gfi’s versus 1, but you would not have to go from the nongfi receptacle to the gfi receptacle to reset it, if the trip was caused by a device plugged into the nongfi.

13 hours ago, DuckSoup said:

  Artie, my original post was in response to woodbutcher question:

  I did not see that he had quoted you and if by me replying to his post I offended you I appoligize. 
 I gave in my reply experiences that I had encountered during my 34 years as an IBEW commerical electrician.
 I also spent 8 hours every 3 years in code classes. You & I both know that the AHJ always gets the last word.
 I have ask more than my fair share of questions here as well and was just offering what I could when I could.
 Again, if I offended you I apoligize.
 

I didn’t take anything you posted as bad/mean. I am just hoping that my quip about the testing depending on who, one was talking to, didn’t make you think I was disagreeing/being difficult, with you. The conversations we have in the code classes on gfi testing is......Manufacturer makes a UL listed gfi, with a test button. Press button, gfi trips, all is well. Inspector/AHJ uses a plug in gfi tester to test gfi, how does homeowner do a monthly test (as required by manufacturer) without owning a plugin tester? Obviously the only test an owner can do is the button test. My comment about which testing, was directed at the sometimes ambiguity in the NEC, the AHJ, and code enforcement. The only super power I seem to have in this life is making a wise guy remark, trying to be funny, and angering someone, and was hoping I hadn’t done that to you.  

16 minutes ago, Artie said:

how does homeowner do a monthly test (as required by manufacturer) without owning a plugin tester?

Is this what the inspector uses?  Says it check the circuit and push the button to overload it?  GCFI tester

 

Says it is under $11, all things considered I wouldn't mind having one handy to check them myself once a month and just add that to my list of monthly maintenance items.  

Just now, Woodbutcherbynight said:

Is this what the inspector uses?  Says it check the circuit and push the button to overload it?  GCFI tester

 

Says it is under $11, all things considered I wouldn't mind having one handy to check them myself once a month and just add that to my list of monthly maintenance items.  

That’s one, they are several. Our inspector has one that has two settings, I believe hospitals have a different requirement. Not sure it’s hospitals, but there is a second level for other location/locations.

1 minute ago, Artie said:

That’s one, they are several.

Thanks I will order one, add it to my electrical tools.  Thankfully it is small, those drawers are getting full and expansion is currently out of the question.

11 hours ago, Artie said:

That’s one, they are several.

Here's one that tests both AFCI & GFCI

 

https://www.kleintools.com/catalog/electrical-testers/afci-gfci-outlet-tester

 

and I'm not endorsing it ---just saying it's out there.