Adding a GFCI to our bedroom

[Showkey]

Basements can have 1“ to 9’ of water in them……so outlets and devices can be completed flooded.
Slabs can be wet bit the water runs out the doors.…….so outlets and devices less likely to under water.

Baths, laundry outdoor outlets and kitchens seem to be the most risk. All the others rooms are just over reaching requirements.


Then there’s ironic part …..basement sump pump GFCI nuisance trips and floods the basement and freezer stops working

 

[engineer2]

Lots of Chinese stuff is ****, but the cheap GFCIs I got look to be well made as far as fit, finish and trip time. GFCI design is well established and not rocket science. I looked up the UL listing numbers for this company and they check out. This company only makes outlet type devices for the North American market.

Many of you probably don't know what it takes to get a product through UL, but it isn't easy. Been there done that. If you think Chinese products should be automatically thrown in the dumpster, please do so with your computers, TVs, and cell phones.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Lots of Chinese stuff is ****, but the cheap GFCIs I got look to be well made as far as fit, finish and trip time. GFCI design is well established and not rocket science. I looked up the UL listing numbers for this company and they check out. This company only makes outlet type devices for the North American market.

Many of you probably don't know what it takes to get a product through UL, but it isn't easy. Been there done that. If you think Chinese products should be automatically thrown in the dumpster, please do so with your computers, TVs, and cell phones.

dude there is literally no brand name on it. I wonder why

 

[Norcal]

There has been issues in the past with counterfeit UL stickers & the ChiComs.

 

[engineer2]

There has been issues in the past with counterfeit UL stickers & the ChiComs.

The UL listing number checks out on the UL website, which lends credibility. You need to have a UL login to look it up. If the manufacturer and model numbers are listed on the UL website and they have the signed UL certificates on their website, it lends more credibility. I've dealt with UL and they don't mess around. They physically test the product (or you can have a consultant test the product). Since China is such a huge market, I assume UL has offices there instead of sending it to Northbrook. Took a tour of their Northbrook HQ and it was quite interesting.

 

[dscheidt]

above about 5-6ma could kill someone so whats the point on the RCDs then?

The horror show that most wiring is in the rest of the world. Keeps people from dying in fires, if not in their bathtub.

 

[jlv03]

Lots of Chinese stuff is ****, but the cheap GFCIs I got look to be well made as far as fit, finish and trip time. GFCI design is well established and not rocket science. I looked up the UL listing numbers for this company and they check out. This company only makes outlet type devices for the North American market.

Many of you probably don't know what it takes to get a product through UL, but it isn't easy. Been there done that. If you think Chinese products should be automatically thrown in the dumpster, please do so with your computers, TVs, and cell phones.

Hopefully the cheap Menards GFCIs are better than they used to be, but my experience with them in the past was an experience in nothing but frustration. It didn't happen right away, but eventually every single one I used popped and could never be reset. This happened even on receptacles with nothing attached to them (nothing "downstream" and nothing plugged in).

I wonder if RCDs are more common elsewhere due to the higher voltage. Is it also trying to catch failing insulation or incorrectly inserted plugs?

 

[dave*99]

This is quite the odd thread. We usually see posts about eliminating GFCI and AFCI due to concerns about false trips.
That gets followed by explanations about how your GFCI or AFCI is defective or that you have faulty equipment connected.
Also there are complaints about the NEC overstepping and adding unnecessary cost and complication.

But adding GFCI to bedrooms..... I am sure there at least a few GJ folks that would be looking to remove them if they purchased that house. And we would see a massive thread speculating about the motivation of the person that installed them.

My comments are not meant to insult anyone. It's just a recognition of some common themes on GJ.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Thread cleaned up.

 

[engineer2]

Wife had a glass of water on the bedroom nightstand and accidentally knocked it over into the wall outlet and a power strip next to it. Water everywhere. The GFCI tripped and shut off that part of the bedroom before she got a towel to sop up all the water. Could have been worse.

 

[xjfish]

Great! Mostly GFCI is a PITA . If it saved you from further trouble it could save us. I get it.

 

[PelicanPines]

Wife had a glass of water on the bedroom nightstand and accidentally knocked it over into the wall outlet and a power strip next to it. Water everywhere. The GFCI tripped and shut off that part of the bedroom before she got a towel to sop up all the water. Could have been worse.

You need to do what I did... I bought my wife a toddlers sippy cup for drinking in bed.

 

[engineer2]

I really should. It'll keep the cat from drinking out of it too.

 

[PelicanPines]

I really should. It'll keep the cat from drinking out of it too.

Our cat didn't like her jagermeister... This way... Its safe.

 

[engineer2]

Our cat is a water glass opportunist.

 

[PelicanPines]

Can't eat cheese-its around ours...

 

[nadogail]

Great! Mostly GFCI is a PITA . If it saved you from further trouble it could save us. I get it.

Lucky is often better than good.

 

[engineer2]

A few years ago I got flamed for suggesting GFCIs might be good in bedrooms. Between spilled water, kids goofing around, steam irons, and hair care products that use water, I thought it might be good.

 

[MEDTECH]

You need to do what I did... I bought my wife a toddlers sippy cup for drinking in bed.

Did it come with a matching lobster bib?

 

[Meursault74]

You need to do what I did... I bought my wife a toddlers sippy cup for drinking in bed.

Why not an adult sippy cup? I see adults walking around with these all day long.

 

[engineer2]

Old thread, but the GFCI in our bedroom saved my wife. She spilled a glass of water into an outlet strip. Thankfully the GFCI tripped and shut the bedroom outlets off.

 

[mike93lx]

Old thread, but the GFCI in our bedroom saved my wife. She spilled a glass of water into an outlet strip. Thankfully the GFCI tripped and shut the bedroom outlets off.

How did it save her? Was the power strip on her foot when she poured the water? A glass of water hardly feels enough to be a problem, but I feel like I'm missing something or not picturing the scenario. Can you elaborate?

I can go dump a bucket of water on a power strip and it won't hurt me, so this one is confusing.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I cleaned this thread up once before it died away. It's coming back to start a secondary ******* match.

Seems to be a trend here lately, rehashing something that was already taken care of.