Quarter 2 – Week 2`
Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education PUBLIC TECHNICAL-VOCATIONAL
HIGH SCHOOLS
mhar cueto
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Quarter 2 – Week 2`
Unit of Competency: INSTALL WIRING DEVICES FOR FLOOR AND GROUND
FAULT CURRENT INTERRUPTING OUTLETS
Module Title: INSTALLING WIRING DEVICES FOR FLOOR
Module No.: 7 AND GROUND FAULT CURRENT
INTERRUPTING OUTLETS
INFORMATION SHEET 2.1
TYPE OF WIRING DEVICES
INTRODUCTION
A device, based from the National Electrical Code (NEC) definition, is a unit
of an electrical system that is intended to carry, but not to utilize electric
energy. This covers a wide assortment of system components that include,
however not limited to the following:
Switch
Relays
Contactors
Receptacles
Conductors
How to select wiring devices?
1. Select a known industry manufacturer.
2. Look for a multi- year product warranty.
3. Make sure that there is an easy and clear way to contact the manufacturers
support.
4. Check for a connected equipment damage warranty.
5. Always ask for manufacturer’s manual.
6. Select wiring devices which are well-made and durable.
7. Select materials that easy to use and install.
8. Select wiring devices according to the job requirements.
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) Information
Outdoor receptacles as well as those in kitchens, bathrooms, and anywhere
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else near water should be the ground fault circuit interrupting type (GFCI)
A GFCI is a ground fault circuit interrupter. It is a modestly priced electrical
device that, when installed in residential electrical circuits. Two-thirds of about
300 electrocutions happening each year in and around the home could has
been avoided with this GFCI device.
The GFCI is designed to guard people and pets from severe and sometimes
fatal electrical shock. A GFCI detects ground faults and interrupts the flow of
electric current. Picture a hair dryer (blow dryer) that is accidentally knocked off
of a bathroom counter and into a bathtub filled with water. The GFCI will stop
the flow of electricity within milliseconds - of the hair dryer hitting the surface of
the water. If someone was in the bath tub, a painful shock may still be felt but
the GFCI will prevent their electrocution or serious injury.
.
How a Ground Fault
Circuit Interrupter works
The GFCI continually
measures electricity flowing
within a circuit to detect
any loss of current. If the
current passing through the
circuit fluctuates a minute
amount from that returning
(to complete the circuit) ,
the GFCI instantaneously
switches the power off to
the affected circuit. The
GFCI interrupts power
within milliseconds to
prevent a lethal dose of
electricity.
A Classic Example of the GFCI at Work. Your toaster is old and has a
loose bare wire inside it touching the outer metal housing. If the toaster is
plugged in, the housing is charged with electricity. You are cleaning the kitchen
and moving counter top items around. When you touch the toaster housing with
one hand while the other hand is touching a grounded metal object, like a
kitchen faucet, you will receive a life threatening shock! If the toaster was
plugged into a GFCI protected outlet, the power will be turning off before a fatal
shock is delivered through your body.
Types of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters
Receptacle GFCI. This GFCI is used in place of a regular wall outlet or
"duplex receptacle". This GFCI is normally found throughout the house in places
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like bathrooms, kitchens, garages, outdoor areas and other locations where damp
conditions do or could exist. The receptacle GFCI fits into the standard outlet box
and protects you against ground faults when an electrical product is connected to
the GFCI protected outlet. Modern homes use receptacle-type GFCls that protect
other electrical outlets connected on the branch circuit.
Temporary/Portable GFCI. When permanent GFCls are not practical,
temporary GFCls are used. Temporary GFCIs contain the GFCI circuitry in an
enclosure with plug prongs at the back and receptacle plugs in front. It can be
plugged into an unprotected outlet, then the electrical appliance/device is
plugged into the temporary GFCI. Portable GFCIs is simply an extension cord
combined with a GFCI. It adds flexibility in using receptacles that are not
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protected by GFCls. Extension cords with GFCI protection incorporated are
great for use when permanent or portable GFCI protection is unavailable.
Circuit Breaker GFCI: Residences equipped with circuit breakers can have
circuit breaker GFCI protection installed in the panel box to give protection for
specific circuits. The circuit breaker GFCI serves two functions. The circuit
breaker GFCI will shut off power to the circuit in the instance of a ground fault
plus the GFCI protected circuit breaker will turn power off if a short circuit or
overload is detected.
Figure 9. Types of GFCI
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SELF-CHECK 2.1
A. Direction: Enumerate the following:
1-5 – The different types of wiring devices.
6-13 – Steps in selecting wiring devices.
14-16 – Types of GFCI
B. Direction: Given the list of wiring devices below, select what type of wiring
device is appropriate to following format given. Write your
answer on a separate sheet of paper.
Wiring Device Type
1. Flat cord
2. Outlet
3. Magnetic
4. Rotary
5. Cable
6. GFCI
7. Polarized
8. Toggle
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