- Author
-
Beausoliel, R. W.
|
Meese, W. J.
- Title
- Survey of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter Usage for Protection Against Hazardous Shock. Final Report. Building Science Series.
- Coporate
- National Bureau of Standards, Washington, DC
- Report
-
NBS BSS 081,
March 1976,
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Keywords
-
interrupters; circuit protection; electrical shock; safety devices; safety engineering; electrical faults; electrical grounding
- Identifiers
- ground fault circuit interrupters
- Abstract
- The ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is increasingly becoming an integral part of building electrical systems to protect human life. Building researchers, designers, and contractors should have a working knowledge of their purpose and operational characteristics. This report describes the functional principles of GFCIs and relates their performance to effects of electric current on the human body. Information concerning the history, research and testing, installation practices, fire protection aspects, types, manufacturers and costs of GFCIs are included. The trend of requiring installation of GFCIs on more and more electrical circuits by regulatory authorities for safety purposes is outlined. Controversies concerning feasibility, reliability, nuisance tripping and other problems are discussed; laboratory and field investigations addressing these problems should be undertaken.