Outlets Archives - Staley Electric

What Is a GFCI Outlet?

As a homeowner, you want the space you live in to be as safe as possible. Of course, it can be easy to worry about the potential dangers lurking inside your home, especially regarding your electrical system.

Fortunately, many safety devices will help protect your household against electric shocks and fires. A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet is one of these electrical devices. New construction homes are built and sold with GFCI outlets already installed. However, you might not be as familiar with these important safety devices if you have an older home. In fact — it’s possible that your home doesn’t meet GFCI outlet requirements.

What is a GFCI outlet? Fortunately, this question isn’t difficult to answer. Let’s discuss what a GFCI outlet is used for and why they are so important.

What Do GFCI Outlets Do?

When you enter a bathroom or kitchen, you might notice an outlet on the wall with “reset” and “test” buttons. These are GFCI outlets. Now you might be sitting there, asking, “What is a GFCI outlet, exactly? What makes these outlets so special that I need to have them inside my home?” Luckily, these safety devices are pretty easy to understand.

GFCIs, which are sometimes referred to as GFI outlets, are uniquely designed to protect your home’s electrical system. How? It’s simple. These devices measure the amount of current that flows from a hot to neutral wire. They will immediately cut off the flow of electricity when an irregular or high amount of electrical current is detected.

These outlets are integral to electrical safety because they help prevent electrical fires and electrocution. For example, if a ground fault occurs, the electrical current will flow toward the ground. When this happens, electrocution becomes a real possibility for those within its vicinity. The GFCI outlet will cut off the electrical current before this dangerous event can occur.

GFCI vs. Regular Outlets

You might be wondering: what is a GFCI outlet compared to a regular outlet? Really, the main difference is the safety component. Regular outlets simply don’t have the ability to cut off an electrical current in the name of safety.

However, some visual aspects set these two outlets apart as well. For instance, regular outlets are known for being smaller than their GFCI counterparts. You also won’t find any “reset” or “test” buttons on your regular outlets. Although these two devices might look fairly similar, one certainly shouldn’t be mistaken for the other.

How to Test a GFCI Outlet

There are a couple of ways to ensure your GFCI outlet is working correctly. For starters, you can press the “test” button. When you do this, the electrical current will shut off to the nearest appliance or device, and the “reset” button should pop out. At least — it should if everything is working properly. Once you’ve done this, you must press the “reset” button to restore the power.

You can also purchase a GFCI tester to see if the device works as it should. These devices are fairly inexpensive and can usually be purchased at your local home improvement store.

Where Is a GFCI Outlet Needed?

Now that you know what a GFCI outlet is used for, you are probably curious to know where they are needed throughout your home. When it comes down to it, these devices should be installed in locations prone to moisture. Think kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and laundry rooms.

Water is known to conduct electricity, and these safety devices are designed to help prevent a disaster before it has a chance to strike.

The National Electrical Code (NEC) has many requirements for GFCI outlets, so you should review these carefully to ensure your home is up to code. However, it’s also worth noting that the NEC requires GFCIs to be installed on exterior outlets.

Are GFCI Outlets Really Necessary?

There’s a reason why GFCI outlets are known as important safety devices. These outlets can be the difference between a safe home and a devastating electrical shock. Of course, you will also need to make sure your home is GFCI protected if you plan to sell it; these outlets are required by law — even in older homes.

While you can have typical GFCI outlets installed, you might want to consider the benefits of a GFCI circuit breaker. These devices protect the entire circuit instead of a single outlet.

Now that you know what a GFCI outlet is used for, it’s crucial to make sure that the outlets throughout your home meet the specified requirements. This simple upgrade can provide much-needed peace of mind regarding potential electrical dangers.

Schedule Outlet Services With Staley Electric!

“What is a GFCI outlet?” If you were asking this question before, hopefully, you now have a better understanding of how these safety devices work. When these electrical outlets detect a shift in the electricity flowing to and from a circuit, the electrical current will shut off immediately — protecting you and your household in the process.

It’s incredibly important to know what a GFCI outlet is used for, especially if your home currently doesn’t have them. Now that you know how crucial these devices are, don’t hesitate to contact Staley Electric for outlet services.
Our professional electricians are proud to offer a wide range of solutions to fit your needs, from electrical home automation to landscape lighting in Little Rock, AR. Contact us to find out what our experts can do for you!

How Many Outlets Can I Wire on the Same Circuit?

Outlets

Are you tired of constantly unplugging your phone charger from one outlet to plug in your laptop? Or maybe you’ve been dreaming of a dedicated workspace but can’t find enough outlets for all your devices? Instead of plugging in multiple power strips that give you one more thing to trip over, you may have wondered about the possibility of adding more outlets to your walls. Would that even work without tripping a circuit breaker or setting your home office on fire?

Staley Electric has been a trusted provider of top-notch electrician services since we first opened our doors in 1951. Today, we offer everything from switch and outlet repairs to sophisticated whole-home generator installation. In this blog post, we’ll address a common question from both homeowners and businesses alike: how many outlets can you wire on the same circuit?

Understanding the Basics: Electrical Load and Circuit Design

When planning to add electrical outlets, it’s crucial to understand the basics of electrical circuits and the load they can handle. Each circuit in your home or business is protected by a circuit breaker, designed to cut off power if the electrical load exceeds safe limits, preventing hazards such as electrical fires.

A standard circuit can either be a 15 amp or 20 amp circuit. The number of outlets on one circuit can vary depending on the total power consumption of the appliances or devices you expect to connect. For light fixtures and smaller appliances, a 15 amp circuit can generally support approximately 8 to 10 outlets, while a 20 amp circuit may accommodate 10 to 12 outlets if the overall power draw remains within safe limits.

National Electrical Code: Ensuring Safety and Compliance

Adherence to the National Electrical Code (NEC) is vital in all electrical installations. The NEC sets the standards for electrical safety and is updated regularly to reflect new technologies and improvements in safety practices. It stipulates specific requirements for the number of outlets that need to be in a room and where they must be placed, the types of wiring that must be used, and the use of dedicated circuits for high-energy appliances.

Certain appliances, such as washing machines and other heavy power users, must have their own dedicated circuits. These dedicated circuits ensure that these appliances have sufficient power available without risking the safety or efficiency of the entire electrical system. This is not only a best practice but often a requirement under the NEC.

Circuit Breaker: Your Safety Mechanism

The circuit breaker is a critical safety component in any electrical system. It’s designed to automatically shut off electrical power when it detects an overload or a short circuit, protecting against the potential dangers of overheating and fire. By understanding how circuit breakers function within your electrical panel, you can better appreciate the importance of not overloading your circuits by connecting too many outlets to them.

Planning and Installing Multiple Circuits

When planning to install multiple circuits, whether for a new building or a remodel, professional insight is crucial to ensure compliance with all safety standards and codes. Staley Electric specializes in devices and wiring installations that meet rigorous safety and performance standards, whether you’re upgrading your home or setting up a new commercial facility.

Practical Tips for Home and Business Owners

For homeowners considering adding more outlets to their single circuit, it’s important to calculate the anticipated electrical load to avoid overloading. Business owners, especially those in industrial settings, should consider regular electrical system analysis to ensure that their electrical infrastructure can handle the demands of their operations without risk.

Connect with Staley Electric for Expert Services

If you’re unsure about the amperage of your circuit or the power draw from your outlets, it’s crucial to get professional advice to ensure safety and efficiency in your home’s electrical system.

Contact Staley Electric for expert assistance. Our team of experienced electricians is ready to help you determine the precise requirements for your electrical setup. We’ll make sure that any additional outlets are installed correctly, safely, and in compliance with all regulatory standards. Don’t risk the safety of your home by guessing; let Staley Electric handle it for you, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your electrical system is in expert hands.

Whether you’re in Benton, Bryant, Hot Springs, Jacksonville, or Cabot, AR, Staley Electric is here when you need us. Our commitment to your safety and satisfaction drives us to provide the best service possible. If you have questions about your electrical system or need professional assistance with electrical panels and circuit breakers, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help ensure your electrical systems work seamlessly and safely!