GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. You will most commonly fine them in bathrooms and kitchens.
It is not a fuse or breaker or current limiting device of any kind.
Simply put, it can save your life.
How?
This is a GFCI in normal operation.
You can see that the hot and neutral go thru the sensing transormer. You can also see the contacts that hot circuit must travel thru.
This is a GFCI in "ground fault detected" operation.
When a "ground fault" occurs, even at miniscule amounts, the hot circuit is opened.
What is a ground fault?
Lets say that as you are working in your growroom when the lights are on, you touch the metal reflector hood. If there is the slightest short in the bulb socket or any other part of the light assembly, a small (or large) amount of current may flow thru you to ground. This is called a "ground fault".
Ground faults kill hundreds of people a year.
They are found in bathrooms and kitchens because the potential for water or moisture is much greater in these areas, and water is a much better ground conductor than your Chuck Taylors.
Is there a greater potential for water in your growroom than your hall closet?
If you answered yes, than you have just answered the question "who needs it?" That would be you.
If you do not have GFCI's protecting ALL of your growroom circuits, please consider installing them. They can and will save your ass!
It is not a fuse or breaker or current limiting device of any kind.
Simply put, it can save your life.
How?
This is a GFCI in normal operation.
You can see that the hot and neutral go thru the sensing transormer. You can also see the contacts that hot circuit must travel thru.
This is a GFCI in "ground fault detected" operation.
When a "ground fault" occurs, even at miniscule amounts, the hot circuit is opened.
What is a ground fault?
Lets say that as you are working in your growroom when the lights are on, you touch the metal reflector hood. If there is the slightest short in the bulb socket or any other part of the light assembly, a small (or large) amount of current may flow thru you to ground. This is called a "ground fault".
Ground faults kill hundreds of people a year.
They are found in bathrooms and kitchens because the potential for water or moisture is much greater in these areas, and water is a much better ground conductor than your Chuck Taylors.
Is there a greater potential for water in your growroom than your hall closet?
If you answered yes, than you have just answered the question "who needs it?" That would be you.
If you do not have GFCI's protecting ALL of your growroom circuits, please consider installing them. They can and will save your ass!
