Blue View - Replacing a GFCI

Blue View - Replacing a GFCI

While a circuit breaker prevents electrical fires, a GFCI, protects you from being shocked or electrocuted. The GFCI is a clever device that takes the place of a standard outlet, and is used in parts of the house that may be exposed to moisture like, for example the kitchen, bathrooms and outside areas. If it detects a fault condition, it disconnects the power from the circuit... before you get shocked.

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Blue View – Insulation Testing

When we were in Patagonia a few years back, we tied up at a marina in Puerto Montt for several weeks. We dug out our power cables and the appropriate connectors and adapters, and connected to shore power at the nearest power box. All was good for awhile, but every few hours the GFCI breaker would trip, and Nine of Cups, as well as the three other boats connected to the circuit would lose power. This was quite annoying, and when we mentioned it to the marina manager, he called an electrician in to investigate. We were very embarrassed to learn it was our 5-year-old power cable that was the cause of the problem.

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