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UL Advisory regarding GFCI receptacles

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Home Inspector with Safeguard Inspection Services, Inc.

UL Advisory regarding GFCI receptacles

Presented by D.J. Skelding

Safeguard Inspection Services, Inc.

 

Just an FYI for everyone out there. Seems UL has determined that some GFCI's don't work all the time and have issued an advisory. Though they're not going to be recalling any devices nor did they list which manufacturers they come from. Which I think is really odd, at least let us know which one's to avoid installing.  

Anyhow, here is the Advisory

 

 

DJ Skelding is a Certified Home Inspector performing home inspections in Milwaukee along with serving the south east and central counties of Wisconsin. DJ has been licensed by the State of Wisconsin and is certified by the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI).  Please visit the company website at Safeguard Inspection Services, Inc. or feel free to call the office at (414) 768-1250 for more information.  

Safeguard Inspection Services, Inc. is available for home inspections through out the Greater Milwaukee County and out lying communities to include Waukesha, Kenosha, Racine, Ozaukee, Dodge, Jefferson and Washington counties.

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Robert Huntsinger
Empire Realty - Upland, CA
Empire Realty Upland, CA - Full Service at a Discount

That is a shocking find, hehe.  I like the GFCI circuits with the breaker being the stop point.

Take care!

RJH

Dec 03, 2007 12:15 PM
Brian Schulman
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Lancaster PA - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster County PA RealEstate Expert 717-951-5552
That's why they need to be tested periodically - because they don't always work -
Dec 03, 2007 12:26 PM
Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Hi there D J Skelding,

I recently found this out the hard way. I hve one right next to my bathroom sink and low and behold when I needed it it would never rest, and nothing was wrong in the breaker box.

Stop by and visit us some time if you are ever down in Hales Corners.

Thanks for the post

Sincerely

Tom Braatz

Dec 03, 2007 05:50 PM
Gene Allen
Fathom Realty - Cary, NC
Realty Consultant for Cary Real Estate
Thats why you guys check them I guess.  When I was in the Navy we always had circuits for No Gos.  They usually broke but the system worked fine.  Always had to fix the No Gos. 
Dec 04, 2007 02:33 AM
D.J Skelding
Safeguard Inspection Services, Inc. - Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Home Inspections

Yes, it's always recommended to test your GFCI receptacles monthly, but there are some new ones on the market that advertise themselves that they are self-testing like the Autoguard.  And this could be a problem.

I've been thinking about this and believe I may of figured out what the real story is.  As of July 28, 2006 their were new requirements that were set forth concerning GFCI receptacles. 

The new UL and CSA requirements included to ensure safety were:

A.  An end of Life Provision:

This means when a GFCI receptacle is incapable of passing its internal test function (it can no longer provide ground-fault protection) it will either

  a) render itself incapable of delivering power, or

  b) indicate by visual or audible means that the device must be replaced.

B.  A reverse Line-Load Miswire which means a GFCI will deny power to the receptacle face if it is miswired.

This is all well and find except for one pretty big problem.   If the "internal test function" of the GFCI (the sensor) goes bad and the safety protection it was meant to provide won't work anymore, these new GFCI receptacles will ONLY render themselves incapable of delivering power IF the Test Button is pushed.  Then and only then will the device "lock-out" power.  This basically means it will continue to supply power that IS NOT GFCI protected.

So my surmise is the UL has issued their advisory to compensate for this flaw by recommending they be tested monthly.  The testing recommendation really isn't anything new, but now this new safety enhancement that came out in July is a bit misleading to the public. 

This is why it's even more important to make sure you test these devices to ensure you're protected from harm.

Dec 04, 2007 09:52 AM
Bob Elliott
Elliott Home Inspection - Chicago, IL
Chicago Property Inspection

Saw that yesterday myself DJ and it is good you let people know to test them often.

Wonder what Underwriters will say about AFCI in the future.Yikes 

Dec 04, 2007 12:34 PM
Jim Ellis
Ellis Home Inspection Services - Pensacola, FL
I believe UL will say the same thing about the AFCI's soon. If they don't, I will say it now. Nothing last forever. We could test them today during a home inspection and they can go bad tomorrow. We won't be there to find out. It is, and should be considered a back up safety issue, just in case. 
Dec 07, 2007 12:51 AM
Obeoman Glade Jones
www.obeo.com - Salt Lake City, UT

 

 

It there any indication how far back this problem goes?

And how is WI handling the remediation?

 

Obeoman

steven.stearns@obeo.com

Jan 14, 2008 04:17 AM
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