GFCI outlet question

[M.T. Bucket]

Just a minor, non-outdoors question...

My wife has a habit of just pushing the little test button on our GFCI outlets to turn off a couple of lights in the house because it's easier to reach than the switch. I told her that I thought it would wear out the mechanism that allows the GFCI outlet to do it's job so she should break her habit.

I know this is a dangerous question, but who's right? And if it's her, none of you better say a WORD!

[mechanictim]

Easier to reach the outlet than the lightswitch? Is your wife less than three feet tall?

Sorry could'nt help myself.

The test button on the outlet is meant to be tested maybe once a month, using the test button as a switch will wear out the outlet faster but you will know when it happens the outlet will stop working.

[JohnMickish]

I don't think I'd use the GFCI for that. Now here is a question for you, why do you have lights being protected by a GFCI? Are they in your shower or over a hot tub? Now if you need some switches moved in your house I might have the time this winter......

[Surface Tension]

Do yourself and your wife a favor and buy a Clapper.

You know, Clap on, Clap off.

[M.T. Bucket]

Thanks.

To answer your questions:

- My wife is pretty short, but not THAT short

- They're plug in lights rather than permanent fixtures on a wall switch. My wife likes to hit the test button on the way out of the room (like a makeshift wall switch) rather than walk over to them because it's faster. That's what I meant by "easier to reach".

-The previous owner of my house replaced all but a couple of the outlets here with the GFCI ones. Not having a background in electrical anything, I just never questioned it. Is there some reason I wouldn't want them or are you just saying it's overkill throughout most of the house?

[M.T. Bucket]

ST,

My son turns 4 years old tomorrow, instead of buying a Clapper I might as well save him the effort and just buy a strobe light.

[Dave]

GFCI outlets are about $10 each versus .39 cents for a regular outlet. That guy wasted a good chunk of money.

[stick]

Yup...he did waste a lot of money. Certain areas of the house require GFCI protection, but all that is required is a GFCI breaker, or a GFCI outlet as the first outlet on that power feed. All "downstream" outlets are protected by the lead GFCI.

[chunkytrout]

NEC requires that we replace non grounded receptacles on a two wire/no ground circuit with GFI's if the circuit is altered for say, a remodel.

The guy who did that has either some electrical knowledge or did his homework. Using the GFI as a switch is not only bad for the device but potentially dangerous. If one of the lamp cords was say not plugged in all the way and she reaches down there to punch the TEST, she very well could become part of the circuit. Play it safe and use the intended lamp switches.

Believe it or not, the clapper isn't a horrible suggestion.

[IFallsRon]

Wouldn't having more than one GFCI on a circuit defeat the purpose?

[JohnMickish]

That depends on how it's wired and what you want protected. If you have a multiwire branch circuit run thru the wall you cannot share the neutral wire, so you also get lots of GFCI's.

FYI: GFCI breakers are about $40. Last time I purchased one anyways.

[JohnMickish]

That depends on how it's wired and what you want protected. If you have a multiwire branch circuit run thru the wall you cannot share the neutral wire, so you also get lots of GFCI's.

FYI: GFCI breakers are about $40. Last time I purchased one anyways.

[chunkytrout]

On a two wire with no ground system which is typical with older homes, we are not allowed to put a grounded type receptacle in unless it is a GFI. Because there is no equipment ground, it will not protect downstream. Therefor any receptacle you replace.....It's a pain and expensive but it's the code.