Quote:
Originally Posted by JayBee
.
But, as MR DK says, only a GFI(ground fault interrupter) can save someone's life when they handle an appliance or plug with wet hands, and the water creates a path for the electric current to flow from a live wire or connection through them and into the ground. Then the amount of current that can be drawn in a fraction of a second is enough to kill someone. This is true whether the current is 110 volts or 220 volts, but obviously it could be even faster with 220. It can stop your heart in an instant.
GFIs are usually put right in the wall outlets in kitchens and baths, but IIANM, they can also be installed in the electrical panel on each circuit, in addition to a circuit breaker, and, perhaps really ought to be. Every time I go to plug in anything, I always instinctively look to see if my hands are wet.
.
|
Hi JayBee
Then the gizmo that I am talking about must be a GFI because I was mucking around with my fishtank and I plugged a light back into the electricity panel. My hands were wet and I got a belt but the electricity to the power outlets for all the fishtank motors/lights/pumps etc was cut immediately and I had to reset the unit.
Just had a look at it. It's called a Clipsal Safety Switch and it says it protects power points only.
It is an add-on unit in my electricty board. I remember a few years ago the government was promoting them and it didn't cost much to get them installed, so I bought one.
I also have circuit breakers that trip when I have too many appliances running.
Steve