GFCI Failures Can Be Fatal . . . When Did You Last Check Yours?

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) devices have been in properties in varying degrees since the early 1970's. Failures in these devices are the number one common electrical issue that I comment on when doing property inspections. Like most items in a home, not too much thought are given to items until they give problems. However; a problem with a GFCI device cannot be detected until it is too late. Every year approximately 300 electrocutions occur and thousands of people are seriously burned due to GFCI failures. Many could have been prevented if monthly maintenance had been administered. ALL manufactures of GFCI devices require monthly testing. To the best of my knowledge, all newer devices built since 2002 have "Monthly Testing Recommended" molded in the plastic facing on the devices. 

When I point out to my customers that monthly testing of these devices is highly recommended, just about all my clients respond with, "I did not know that." I send out a monthly reminder list to my customers prompting home owners to check various items around their properties. If you want to be added to this monthly newsletter and reminder list, just contact me.

For more information about how GFCI devices work and testing guidelines, go to my website chiblogs.com and click on Electrical. Ground Fault Circuits is at the bottom of the blog roll.

This posting and the contents written here are the intellectual property of Michael Thornton an ASHI Certified inspector with Complete Home Inspections, Inc. providing Nashville home inspections for Davidson county and Brentwood home inspections for Williamson County and other areas of Middle Tennessee. The views and opinions expressed are just that - views and opinions of Michael Thornton and those who comment.  This post is part of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network, which is a social network highlighting the best of Web 2.0.  Information and is provided with the intent of educating and assisting home owners, home sellers, home buyers and real estate investors with information they can use to make better real estate decisions.