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Of all the benefits available from an electrical device’s Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (GFCI), user safety would top the list. A GFCI protects users against electrical shock after a ground fault occurs. Each year, from 2012—2016, local fire departments responded to an estimated average of more than 80,000 home fires involving electrical failure or malfunction or fires involving electrical distribution and lighting equipment. And in each of those years an average of 930 civilian deaths occurred as well as 2,450 civilian injuries (National Fire Protection Association). A GFCI protects users against electrical shock after a ground fault occurs—they save lives and prevent injuries due to electric shock.
Ground Fault
A ground fault occurs when there is a break in the low-resistance grounding path from a tool or electrical system. The electrical current may then take an alternative path to the ground through the user, resulting in serious injuries or death. A ground fault is an “unintentional, electrically conductive connection between an ungrounded conductor of an electrical circuit and the normally non-current-carrying conductors, metallic enclosures, metallic raceways, metallic equipment, or earth.”
How a GFCI Works
Electricity tends to take the shortest path to ground. When a ground fault occurs, that path could be a person. A GFCI protects against electrical shock by monitoring electric current levels in the line and neutral conductors, which normally remain relatively equal. But, in the event of an electrical short to ground, GFCIs are designed to “trip” quickly to shut down power if the current levels differ by 5mA, detecting variations as small as 4mA.
The GFCI Advantage
Advantages to Installing a GFCI:
- Electrical shock prevention—if a person begins to receive an electrical shock, the GFCI can cut off the power to help avoid injuries. This is especially helpful for technicians who trouble-shoot and repair large equipment through power access points inside the equipment.
- Fire prevention—a main function of a GFCI is to detect a ground fault. If a ground fault occurs it could start an electrical fire.
- Protection of equipment. The GFCI can prevent equipment and appliances from being damaged by detecting electrical leaks.
- Food preparation sites where wash-down or aggressive cleaning is required at service points where water and caustic chemicals could penetrate even a highly protected outlet.
- Construction sites where temporary indoor/outdoor power distribution is required and may not be wired correctly.
Interpower GFCI Sockets
Interpower offers North American GFCI socket assemblies for industrial control panel equipment applications. One GFCI socket combines 2 external NEMA 5-20R’s with an internal NEMA 5-15R control panel into one assembly (Interpower part number 88051010). It is intended for panel-mount use by industrial equipment OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) typically as convenience power outlets on control panels or in conjunction with power distribution devices in large electrical and electronic systems. Applications include factory settings where water or fluids may frequently come in contact with the enclosure, such as equipment wash-down applications.
P/N: 88051010
Special features include:
- Test/reset functions—the test/reset functions are accessible outside the control panel. This allows maintenance personnel to safely test/reset the GFCI function when the control panel is closed.
- NEMA 12/4 enclosure rating—NEMA 250 classifies enclosure ratings for solid objects and moisture, plus indoor and outdoor use. The “4” in the NEMA 12/4 rating means enclosures are good for indoor or outdoor equipment and offer protection against falling dirt, windblown dust, or water (such as rain, sleet, snow, splashing water, and hose-directed water). The “12” indicates enclosures are intended for indoor equipment and only offer protection against falling dirt, circulating dust, lint, fibers, and against dripping or light splashing water. The NEMA 12/4 combination rating means the features of both type 4 and type 12 are included in one part.
- IP 65 enclosure rating—IEC 60529 outlines an international classification system for the sealing effectiveness of enclosures of electrical equipment against the intrusion into the equipment of foreign bodies (e.g., tools, dust, fingers) and moisture. This classification system utilizes the letter IP (Ingress Protection) followed by two numbers. In looking at the IP classification chart, a “6” as the first digit means the enclosure needs to be dust-tight and protected from the ingress of dust. A “5” as the second digit means it needs to have protection from water jets.
Note: the NEMA 12/4 and IP 65 enclosure ratings apply only when the cover is properly closed and latched. The hinged lid is designed to be mounted so it opens upward.
Interpower also offers an external duplex NEMA 5-20R GFCI socket (Interpower part number 88051020). Both assemblies fit the same cutout hole.
P/N: 88051020
Additional Resources
For more information, see Interpower sockets by part numbers and the Plugs and Sockets page.
Interpower offers value-added options and free technical support. For further assistance, please see Interpower’s contact information below.
