Will GFCI work with items without equipment ground
I know it's probably a dumb question but my wife's hair dryer is old and has no equipment ground. Wanted to be sure she is still protected if it should be dropped into water or otherwise shorted.
Forum Discussion
Terryallan wrote:
In truth. The GFCI is NOT there to protect YOU. It is there to protect the circuits. That by doing it's job, it also protects you, is just a bonus
You have that backwards.
A CIRCUIT BREAKER OR FUSE is there to protect THE CIRCUIT (IE WIRING) from overloading which causes HEATING of the wires which eventually leads to failed insulation of the wires which eventually and ultimately leads to FIRE.
GFCI= GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER
GFCI is solely there to protect YOUR LIFE, not the electrical circuits.
GFCI do this by monitoring how much current is being drawn off of the HOT (black) wire and comparing the current that is being RETURNED to the power source breaker panel via the NEUTRAL (white) wire.
Things are well as long as the current is the same on BOTH HOT AND NEUTRAL.
Example, if a device plugged in is pulling 1A, there should be 1A on the HOT (Black) AND 1A on the Neutral (White).
IF a device plugged in is pulling 1A on the HOT (black) and the Neutral is measuring .995A that means there is .005A (5 MA) that is not "returning" via the Neutral (white) wire..
That 5 MA HAS to be going via a different route and that typically is YOU...
Your body because it is made up of WATER AND MINERALS makes a fantastic "resistor" and can easily conduct electricity..
Your do not WANT 5 MA of current flowing across your heart, it WILL KILL YOU..
In Tech school many, many yrs ago, we were taught when especially working on HOT chassis equipment to never use both hands, tuck one hand in your pocket.. Lest you become part of the circuit..
So, that is why we have GFCIs..
By the way, GFCIs now days are required to trip at 5 MA, older ones were 10 MA..
