The GFCI Receptacle (GFI):
The GFCI Receptacle (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) continuously monitors power flow from the receptacle to a plugged in electrical device. If one of the conductors supplying power to the protected side of the receptacle should accidently “go to ground”, either by falling into a bath, sink or puddle, the receptacle will trip very quickly, within milli seconds, preventing an electric shock. GFCI’s are used outside buildings and near sources of water. The electrical code requires receptacles within 5ft of a sink to be GFCI Protected. GFCI receptacles need to be installed correctly in order to function safely. If you live in an existing home that has receptacles installed within 5ft of a sink it is recommended to have an electrician test to ensure it is protected by a GFCI outlet and if necessary replace the receptacle with a GFCI outlet.
The GFCI Receptacle (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) continuously monitors power flow from the receptacle to a plugged in electrical device. If one of the conductors supplying power to the protected side of the receptacle should accidently “go to ground”, either by falling into a bath, sink or puddle, the receptacle will trip very quickly, within milli seconds, preventing an electric shock. GFCI’s are used outside buildings and near sources of water. The electrical code requires receptacles within 5ft of a sink to be GFCI Protected. GFCI receptacles need to be installed correctly in order to function safely. If you live in an existing home that has receptacles installed within 5ft of a sink it is recommended to have an electrician test to ensure it is protected by a GFCI outlet and if necessary replace the receptacle with a GFCI outlet.
Kitchen Receptacles:
Kitchen receptacles are setup to provide enough power for the different appliances in your kitchen. They should be either a “Split” receptacle, which has two 15A circuits available at one receptacle, or a 20A T-slot receptacle which is designed to allow more power than a standard 15A receptacle safely. GFCI receptacles are required for any receptacles within 5’ of the sink. If you find you do not have enough power available in your kitchen our Vancouover electricians are able to make recommendations on what you can do to upgrade your kitchen to ensure you have adequate power safely available
Kitchen receptacles are setup to provide enough power for the different appliances in your kitchen. They should be either a “Split” receptacle, which has two 15A circuits available at one receptacle, or a 20A T-slot receptacle which is designed to allow more power than a standard 15A receptacle safely. GFCI receptacles are required for any receptacles within 5’ of the sink. If you find you do not have enough power available in your kitchen our Vancouover electricians are able to make recommendations on what you can do to upgrade your kitchen to ensure you have adequate power safely available
Switched Receptacles:
Commonly installed in bedrooms, switched receptacles save money when constructing a home. They are common in older and new homes. Switched receptacles are typically installed as part of a standard duplex receptacle where only one half of the receptacle is switched by the wall switch and the other half is setup to provide continuous power. If replaced incorrectly, a switched receptacle generally results in continuous power at both halves of the receptacle with the switch no longer able to turn the top or bottom half off.
Commonly installed in bedrooms, switched receptacles save money when constructing a home. They are common in older and new homes. Switched receptacles are typically installed as part of a standard duplex receptacle where only one half of the receptacle is switched by the wall switch and the other half is setup to provide continuous power. If replaced incorrectly, a switched receptacle generally results in continuous power at both halves of the receptacle with the switch no longer able to turn the top or bottom half off.
Bedroom Receptacles:
Newer homes have bedroom receptacles protected by an Arc Fault breaker. An Arc fault breaker is designed to detect whenever an arc occurs that could pose a potential fire hazard. Unfortunately, arc fault breakers have been known to generate nuisance tripping, tripping the circuit when everything connected to it appears to be ok. When this happens it is most likely attributed to a defective appliance or load connected to one of the receptacles on the circuit. Older vacuums are particularly known to cause nuisance tripping when connected to a bedroom receptacle fed from an arc fault breaker. Bedroom circuits that have receptacles with no power available should be checked by a qualified electrician
Newer homes have bedroom receptacles protected by an Arc Fault breaker. An Arc fault breaker is designed to detect whenever an arc occurs that could pose a potential fire hazard. Unfortunately, arc fault breakers have been known to generate nuisance tripping, tripping the circuit when everything connected to it appears to be ok. When this happens it is most likely attributed to a defective appliance or load connected to one of the receptacles on the circuit. Older vacuums are particularly known to cause nuisance tripping when connected to a bedroom receptacle fed from an arc fault breaker. Bedroom circuits that have receptacles with no power available should be checked by a qualified electrician
Tamper Resistant Receptacles (TR Receptacles):
Tamper resistant receptacles can be identified by a “TR” marking on the device. These receptacles are now mandatory in newer homes and day care facilities. The receptacles are designed to prevent children inserting small objects into the electrical slots on the receptacle. They do this via a shutter that requires both blades of a plug to be inserted simultaneously into the receptacle. Users of tamper resistant receptacles may find it difficult to insert a plug into the TR receptacle slots if they apply to much pressure to one of the blades. Users that continue have no power at one of these receptacles may need to have it replaced. Our Vancouver electricians are setup to make on the spot repairs for most tamper resistant receptacles
Tamper resistant receptacles can be identified by a “TR” marking on the device. These receptacles are now mandatory in newer homes and day care facilities. The receptacles are designed to prevent children inserting small objects into the electrical slots on the receptacle. They do this via a shutter that requires both blades of a plug to be inserted simultaneously into the receptacle. Users of tamper resistant receptacles may find it difficult to insert a plug into the TR receptacle slots if they apply to much pressure to one of the blades. Users that continue have no power at one of these receptacles may need to have it replaced. Our Vancouver electricians are setup to make on the spot repairs for most tamper resistant receptacles
Church Receptacles
We service and repair all receptacles installed in Churches. We recommend that receptacles installed in churches be commercial grade and Tamper Resistant where ever children may be active. Commercial Grade receptacles are more durable than residential grade. Our electricians service and install receptacles through out the greater Vancouver Area.
We service and repair all receptacles installed in Churches. We recommend that receptacles installed in churches be commercial grade and Tamper Resistant where ever children may be active. Commercial Grade receptacles are more durable than residential grade. Our electricians service and install receptacles through out the greater Vancouver Area.
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