Homestead Safety: Electric and GFCI Receptacles
Homesteading requires alot of skills. Some skills are previously known, and some are learned on the fly. We all learn what we need to get a job done. Sometimes we learn just enough, but sometimes we learn more to share with others.
Something that appears to be very common in the homesteading community is the drive to make something happen. The overwhelming need to do for ourselves and our family, and often in less than desireable circumstances. Most often it is based on finances.
I will not jump to an assumption about homesteaders not having money, but in Southern Missouri it very much seemed to be the case. Money has to be spent, but on what?!
The choices are all individual, and we must do what we know to be right for ourselves. I think it is very important that we all help each other when we notice something.
Safety is the number one priority of any project. Notice I didn't say should be...but I said IS. There is no project that I have ever been a part of that required something unsafe to get it done. When I see safety risks I will say something in hopes to keep everyone safe.
There are two areas that I see the most dangerous decisions.
First, anything having to do with fireplaces and woodstoves. Often we are out in positions to install or repair wood heating systems without the knowledge of how to do it. The result is an unsafe environment, and potentially hazardous outcome for the homesteader.
Second, is electrical. Most of us choose to live in an area that does not have any zoning. With no zoning comes no codes. With no codes comes the potential to build anything however we want. Electrical is often the subject of safety conversations due to how common it is.
Electrical could be something simple like using the wrong wire with the wrong breaker. If you use a 15 amp breaker there is a correct wire size. If it is a 20, 30,40 amp etc...they all have a correct wire size. If too small of a wire is used on too large of a breaker it could heat the wire causing it to melt and catch fire.
Today was a good day to do some updating to the farm house we moved into. I added two GFCI receptacles. One in the kitchen and one in the bathroom.
GFCI is Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. It is installed anywhere that is near water.
The National Electrical Code, or NEC, has specific GFCI requirements for dwelling units. Article 210.8 states that ground-fault circuit-interrupters shall be used for all 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-amp receptacles installed in the following locations: Bathrooms: All receptacles must be GFCI protected.
This isn't saying that each receptacle needs to be a GFCI, but the first in the line needs to be. This will protect all involved.
The NEC I feel is pretty important. It is the National Electric Code. Whenever I have an electrical question I can find the answer there. It isn't a matter of my actions being regulated, but more importantly a professional explaining to me how to keep myself and my family alive.
I encourage you all as you build, grow and create to please be safe. If you have questions please ask. I am sure you can find guidance in the community. If you see someone else that is doing something you know will be unsafe....please say something. There is no boss, or law, just love. Thanks for joining me.
Be well.
~The Yeti
I wish they would stop calling them GFCI, because they are not.
They do not measure a ground fault, the measure a difference between the inflow and the outflow. This does detect most cases where you would have a ground fault, such as a puddle of water in the bathroom.
However, GFCI plugs are very bad for things that actually use electricity or spike electricity.
Such as, the above mentioned, power tools. The bigger the motor, the more likely it will blow the GFCI just by being turned on. Imagine cutting through a big timber and hitting a knot. Suddenly your big saw stops because the amperage suddenly spiked. Well, now you have a very dangerous situation.
The other thing is heaters. Which include light bulbs. These things actually use up electricity so that the flow in and flow out are not balanced, and will blow the GFCI.
Haha sounds like you are pretty passionate.
Putting them in your bathroom is a great idea. But at work were you use power tools, they suck.
And I might add. Don't buy cheap one. Quality counts here. Spend a couple of buck will save you from hitting the rest button all the time.
That is for sure! Quality seems to always count haha
Hi
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