GFCI Outlet Question

[jabberkaycee]

I’m bored waiting on my tank to deliver, so I thought I would go ahead and replace my outlet with a GFCI. I’ve never really noticed this before, but some are labeled self-testing and some are not. That doesn’t have any bearing on our equipment, right? It doesn’t kick off for a second or make it any more or less reliable, does it?

 

[jsmkmavity]

The leviton brand ones may have some reliability issues. Most reports of problems were replaced with another brand or regular gfci with no further problems. It may be technology not ready for prime time or a bad run of product or sometimes problems with installation or use. Personally i only use the regular gfci 20 amp receptacles. Hopefully your circuit is 20 amp/12 gauge wire already.

 

[jabberkaycee]

The leviton brand ones may have some reliability issues. Most reports of problems were replaced with another brand or regular gfci with no further problems. It may be technology not ready for prime time or a bad run of product or sometimes problems with installation or use. Personally i only use the regular gfci 20 amp receptacles. Hopefully your circuit is 20 amp/12 gauge wire already.

Yes, it is 20 amp and 12 gauge. And of course, the one that you don’t recommend is exactly the one that I purchased. I’m going to return it for a regular one because it’s keeps nagging me - and I can test it myself. Thank you!

 

[BeanAnimal]

UL requires all new GFCIs to be self testing. That does not mean older models can’t be sold. The self test does not trip the mechanism, it tests the comparator to ensure it would. That said, as far as I know, most are now built to trip of they fail the test. They will also not set if they fail.