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How do I actually "test" a GFCI Walter R. 02-13-2005
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Posted by xrongor on February 13, 2005, 1:00 am


some of those things that you use to see if its wired correctly also have a
little button on them just for this purpose. puts a resistor between hot
and ground. same as the test switch on the breaker.

randy

> Several circuits in my main panel have GFCI breakers. I know I can test
> them internally by pushing the "test button.
>
> How can I actually test the outlets in protected areas (without sticking a
> nail in an outlet and grabbing it while holding on to a faucet).
>
> Can I use the little thingies that are plugged into an outlet and show if
> it is wired correctly?
>
> --
>
> Walter
> The Happy Iconoclast www.rationality.net
> -
>
>




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Posted by on February 13, 2005, 9:23 am



Walter R. wrote:
> Several circuits in my main panel have GFCI breakers. I know
> I can test them internally by pushing the "test button.
>
> How can I actually test the outlets in protected areas
> (without sticking a nail in an outlet and grabbing it while
> holding on to a faucet).

I don't know about circuit testers, but you can make a GFCI tester from
a replacement power cord plug with screw terminals and a 15,000 ohm
resistor. Wire the resistor between the hot terminal (goes to narrower
prong) and ground terminal. You'll also need a meter or night light to
indicate if the voltage has turned off as it should. This tester
should trip the GFCI at 8mA, slightly higher than the 6mA threshhold
but still a safe level.



Posted by Doug Miller on February 13, 2005, 5:36 pm


do_not_spam_me@my-deja.com wrote:
>
>Walter R. wrote:
>> Several circuits in my main panel have GFCI breakers. I know
>> I can test them internally by pushing the "test button.
>>
>> How can I actually test the outlets in protected areas
>> (without sticking a nail in an outlet and grabbing it while
>> holding on to a faucet).
>
>I don't know about circuit testers, but you can make a GFCI tester from
>a replacement power cord plug with screw terminals and a 15,000 ohm
>resistor. Wire the resistor between the hot terminal (goes to narrower
>prong) and ground terminal. You'll also need a meter or night light to
>indicate if the voltage has turned off as it should. This tester
>should trip the GFCI at 8mA, slightly higher than the 6mA threshhold
>but still a safe level.
>
Or you could just buy one. Item # 398469 at Home Depot. Seven dollars and
ninety-four cents.



--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

Nobody ever left footprints in the sands of time by sitting on his butt.
And who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?


Posted by John Hines on February 13, 2005, 5:09 pm



>Several circuits in my main panel have GFCI breakers. I know I can test them
>internally by pushing the "test button.
>
>How can I actually test the outlets in protected areas (without sticking a
>nail in an outlet and grabbing it while holding on to a faucet).

Take a light bulb, and connect it between hot and ground. That should
trip the GFCI. Connect up a light bulb socket with some zip cord, and
strip the end, so you can stick it in a socket.



Posted by Gideon on February 13, 2005, 10:30 pm


GFCI testers are also available at Harbor Freight (online, mail order or
retail store) for a few dollars. I'm pretty certain that MCM Electronics
(online & mail order) sells one that allows you to select the degree of
sensitivity (number of milliamps) for the test you perform.

I bought several of the inexpensive units from Harbor Freight and I always
take one with me when I travel. It is extremely important to remember
that some GFCI outlets can be wired incorrectly but the test button on
the outlet can indicate that the unit is functioning correctly even though
it is NOT providing GFCI protection. This has been a common problem
for GFCI outlets installed by homeowners, but it can happen anywhere.

(Half of the outlets in our house which was "professionally" wired in the
1960's had reversed polarity.)




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