IPRT Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (GFCI) Program

The Institute for Physical Research and Technology's (IPRT) Facilities Engineering and Safety (FE&S) Group has developed procedures for ground-fault circuit-interrupters (GFCI) to help safeguard IPRT employees. Testing records have indicated a significant number of failures which demonstrate the clear need for testing. IPRT FE&S has decided to take a proactive stance to prevent injuries from occurring due to these failures by identifying and having faulty GFCI's repaired.

I. Personnel Responsibilities

• Utilize the test/reset button test before each GFCI use. The test/reset button test is outlined in section VIII, A.
• Report all new and non-stickered GFCI receptacles located in IPRT-controlled spaces to IPRT FE&S at 4-2468.

II. Definition

Properly operating ground-fault circuit-interrupters (GFCI) will provide protection from electrocution of personnel in the event that the electrical ground is lost or an electrical leak occurs.

III. Location of GFCI's

• GFCI's are required on all 120 volt, 15 and 20 amp receptacles within 6 feet of a water source (sink, eyewash etc.).(4)
• GFCI's are required on all outdoor electrical outlets or outlets within six feet of an exterior door. (1)
• GFCI's are required where extension cords are used with electric hand tools. (1)
• GFCI's are required in areas where employees are likely to be well grounded such as in or on tanks, pipes, metal, and damp concrete. (1)
• GFCI's are required on all receptacles located in bathrooms and on roofs. (2,3)
• As prudent practice, IPRT FE&S strongly recommends that GFCI's be located in any area where there is added risk from grounding loss. This includes outlets that aren't mandated to be GFCI's.

IV. Installation of GFCI's

All newly constructed and renovated buildings will have the required GFCI's installed. Other installations to retrofit receptacles with GFCI's are only available through departmental or research funding.
GFCI's must be wired correctly to ensure that they will provide protection. A non-GFCI receptacle can be wired downstream and in parallel with a GFCI to provide the same protection. GFCI protection can also be obtained through a GFCI equipped circuit breaker or extension cord.

V. Testing of GFCI's

IPRT FE&S will test all known IPRT (non-Ames Lab) GFCI's and outlets with GFCI protection. Testing will occur upon installation, annually and upon request. Any new GFCI, or non-stickered receptacle with GFCI protection, should be reported to IPRT FE&S in room 101, ASC III (4-6812). An IPRT GFCI test sticker (see appendix A) will be affixed to all GFCI's that meet the testing requirements. If the outlet fails the testing procedures outlined in section VIII, a caution label (see appendix B) will be placed over the outlet and repairs will be made as soon as possible. The outlet shall NOT be used until repairs are made. IPRT FE&S will coordinate repairs to faulty GFCI's through the IPRT Facilities Engineer.
Those persons using GFCI's should test them before each use by pressing the test button on the outlet, checking to make sure it trips out, and subsequently resetting it. (see section VII., A.) Do NOT use the outlet if it fails the test. Report any problems to IPRT FE&S for correction. IPRT FE&S will maintain all inspection records which will be available upon request.

VI. Acceptable Test Levels

In order for a GFCI to be in proper working order the circuit must be correctly wired and interrupt the circuit (trip) within 4 to 7 milliamperes (mA). A GFCI that trips at less than 4 mA is too sensitive and will cause unnecessary circuit interruptions. A GFCI that trips at greater than 7 mA will not provide the necessary personal protection to prevent possible electrocution.

VII. Documentation (IPRT FE&S)

A. Maps that indicate the locations of all GFCI's in IPRT-controlled spaces (see appendix C) shall be updated with the locations of all GFCI's.

B. GFCI test records that give the building, room number, outlet, circuit and breaker numbers, and the outlet type (see appendix D) shall be filled out as the testing is being done. The person performing the tests outlined in section VIII must fill out the date, their initials, the status of the push-button test, the wiring test and the GFCI circuit challenge, and shall indicate any problems with the outlet.

C. If the outlet fails any of the tests outlined in section VIII, a caution label (see appendix B) should be placed over the outlet. Fill out the caution label by indicating why the circuit is in need of repair and the test date. The reason for failure should also be documented on the GFCI test record (see appendix D). After repairs have been made to the outlet, it shall be re-tested to ensure it is in proper working condition.

D. Once the outlet has passed all the tests outlined in section VIII, an IPRT GFCI test sticker (see appendix A) shall be placed on the outlet cover. The test sticker shall indicate:

1. The test date,
2. The tester's initials,
3. The current level where the interruption occurred,
4. The wiring status,
5. And the number of the outlet (to distinguish the GFCI protected outlets from each other for documentation purposes.)

VIII. Testing Procedures

To properly test all GFCI's, the energized circuit load must be able to be shut down. All equipment using that circuit would subsequently lose its source of energy. In cases where equipment cannot be shut down on demand, IPRT FE&S will coordinate a time when the GFCI testing can take place. All GFCI outlets and protected outlets will be tested individually to ensure they all meet protection requirements. A full GFCI test involves the Test/Reset Button Test, Wiring Test, and GFCI Circuit Challenge.

A. Test/Reset Button Test

1. Ensure the energized circuit can be appropriately de-energized.
2. It is preferable to have a light, fan, circuit tester, etc. on to ensure the energization status of the circuit.
3. Press the test button.
4. The reset button should pop out. If it does not, proceed to step 8.
5. If the reset button pops out, check to ensure the electrical equipment has become de-energized. If the electrical equipment has not de-energized, proceed to step 8.
6. If the electrical equipment has de-energized, press the reset button. The reset button should stay reset and the electrical equipment should re-energize. If the reset button does not reset or the electrical equipment does not re-energize, proceed to step 8.
7. Repeat steps 3 through 6 with the light, fan, circuit tester, etc. plugged into the other receptacle.
8. If the outlet fails any part of the reset button test, contact IPRT FE&S at 4-6812 to have the outlet repaired. A caution label shall be placed over the outlet and the outlet shall not be used until it is repaired.
9. When testing slaved outlets, repeat steps 3 through 8 with the piece of electrical equipment plugged into the slaved outlet. Use the test and reset buttons on the GFCI that provides protection for the outlet to perform the Test/Reset Button Test.

B. Wiring Test

1. Acquire an accepted wiring tester. (IPRT FE&S has a Greenlee GFCI Circuit Tester with a wiring tester, Cat# 5708, NAED/DCI# 78-3310/34523.)
2. If using a combination GFCI/wiring tester, set the nominal leakage current knob to zero mA.
3. Plug the tester into a receptacle on the outlet to be tested.
4. Check the tester display to ensure proper wiring.
5. If the wiring is improper, proceed no further, cover the outlet with a caution label (see Appendix B,) indicate improper wiring and call to have it repaired.

C. GFCI Circuit Challenge

1. Test the current that causes the GFCI to trip.
   a. Turn the current selector knob to the next higher current setting,
   b. Wait for the test light to flash,
   c. If the GFCI trips out,
   
   1. reset the knob to zero current,
   2. press the reset button on the GFCI, the outlet the GFCI is wired to or the GFCI circuit breaker,
   3. check for test lights to indicate the circuit is re-energized
   4. remove the tester from the outlet.

   d. If the circuit does not trip out, repeat steps a-d.
   e. If the GFCI fails to trip within 4 to 7 mA, proceed no further, place a caution label over the outlet, indicate faulty GFCI, and call to have it repaired.

2. After the GFCI has tripped, repeat sections A, B and C for the other receptacle (on a 2-receptacle GFCI outlet) and all GFCI protected outlets.

D. Placing an IPRT Test Sticker

If the outlet passes all the above tests, place an IPRT GFCI test sticker, on the outlet cover as indicated in section VII. D.

IX. Bibliography

(1) National Electrical Code, (1993). sections 210-8

(2) National Electrical Code Handbook, (1993). sections 210-8

(3) Department of Energy, Electrical Safety Guidelines, (1993, May)., Sections 8.2.2, 8.4.1

(4) Sandia National Laboratories, Electrical Safety Manual, (March 4, 1994).

(5) Occupational Safety & Heath Standards, 29 CFR 1926.404(b)(1)(ii)

Last updated November 15, 2002

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