GFCI lifespan breaker vs outlet

[sdowney717]

I have over the years had to replace 4 GFCI outlets
this was at 3 different houses.
Does the breaker version that goes into the breaker circuit box panel have a better lifespan?

these GFCI outlets failed when something like a fridge or a car block heater was plugged in.
fridge one failed open after about 3 months
the block heater one failed after 3 days
others just stopped working for no apparent reason
another couple just stopped passing current or wont test.

 

[D KRAGER]

I've been in a new house for 6 years now. We have a a couple GFCI breakers and some outlets. I have yet to have anything go bad.

However at work in a very wet and harsh environment, the stupid outlets don't last a year in most cases.


I would think the breakers would last longer than the outlets....

 

[avc8130]

My Square D breaker failed. I am not sure when, but the "test" button no longer trips the breaker. It is about 3 years old.
ac

 

[Mr_fixit]

Both go bad. Receptacles are cheap. I'd use thiose wherever posible, siince you could usually replace 3 of those for the cost of 1 breaker.

Want to lessen the frequency of replacing them? Don't plug a high current device that turn on & off frequently, like a fridge or freezer. GFI's are loaded with electronics and electronics don't like surges.

 

[Gary S]

I'm one of the people who have had really good luck with GFCIs. Currently I have about 20 GFCI receptacles in my garage and house and not one of them has failed in the last 10 years. The only failure I've had is the small GFI that was part of the power cord on my Wife's hair dryer.
I run my garage fridge, my air conditioner, and my welder on them with no problems.

 

[malibu101]

I run my garage fridge, my air conditioner, and my welder on them with no problems.

You put in a 50A 2-pole gfi breaker for the welder?
There is nothing wrong with that but man that is one pricey breaker

 

[Gary S]

You put in a 50A 2-pole gfi breaker for the welder?
There is nothing wrong with that but man that is one pricey breaker

No need for that. My welder is a 120v wirefeed and runs on any 20A circuit.

 

[Greatbear]

If the GFCI is subjected to lots of tripping (nuisance or otherwise) the breaker types tend to be longer lived than the outlet style since the switching is more robust for the panel mounted ones. If your GFCIs are in an area subjected to some extremes in temperatures and humidity like an unheated garage, the outlet types tend to fail more often. Thing is, with GFCI receptacles costing less than ten dollars compared to 40-60 bucks for the breaker types, you can replace a few outlets and still be ahead of the game cost-wise.

 

[txz28]

I cannot comment on lifespan, but my understanding was that all of the new homes were breaker and not outlet style. I thought this was a code requirement. I am not an electrician.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I cannot comment on lifespan, but my understanding was that all of the new homes were breaker and not outlet style. I thought this was a code requirement. I am not an electrician.

Not true. Could be a local requirement somewhere however.

Charles

 

[fefarms]

Not true. Could be a local requirement somewhere however.

Charles

Roughly half the nation has adopted the 2008 NEC. 2008 NEC 210.12(B) expanded the AFCI protection requirement from bedrooms to

"family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sun rooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, or similar rooms"

Since 210.12(B) requires the entire branch circuit to be protected, the only way to accomplish this is via an AFCI breaker.

To the layman, an AFCI breaker looks just like a GFCI breaker, and I suspect the appearance of lots of AFCI breakers in the panels of new homes causes the incorrect inference that GFCI breakers are now required vs. GFCI receptacles.

 

[nehog]

Personally I use receptacles too, and keep a box of 10 on the supply shelf for spares. But, I've not had to replace one yet (knock on wood) and I have at least one that is about 25 years old... Humm, maybe I should test it?

BTW, I use a plug-in tester, not the test button... Just easier.

 

[sberry]

Some equipment is more likely to trip them, grounded fridge doesn't need one. I bypass them for engine block heaters, they seem sensitive but "I believe" there is a code allowance for heating equipment for a 30MA gfci,,, ???? I am tempted to score a couple for those circuits where I use them.