Will a GFCI trip on over current ?

[theoldwizard1]

If a 15A rated GFCI outlet is placed on a 20A circuit with 12 gauge wire, will it trip if the load exceed 15A ? (Let's not pick nits here, guys. Say the load is 17.5A)

 

[ForceFed70]

No. It's a GFCI, not a circuit breaker. Some devices may trip, but it's not a feature that is ment to be consistant or relied upon.

 

[rlitman]

If a 15A rated GFCI outlet is placed on a 20A circuit with 12 gauge wire, will it trip if the load exceed 15A ? (Let's not pick nits here, guys. Say the load is 17.5A)

Never heard of a 15A GFCI. The outlets on the front may be 15A, but every one I can think of has 20A pass-throughs on the back (although I haven't bought a new GFI in a few years now, maybe they're making them cheaper. . . ).
Anyway, GFI's do not offer overcurrent protection, and a 15A breaker won't trip at 17A or even 18A anyway (at least, not quickly).

 

[rwreuter]

i know this is going to sound shocking, but almost 100% of GFCI's (or GFI's) in residental homes, in the kitchen and bathrooms (where they are required) ARE all 15amp.

most if not all duplex recptacles (or plugs), to include GFCI's have the ability to accept 12 gauge wire and many can accept 10 gauge. some jurisdictions require 12 guage wire though not necessarily 20amp circuits. odd but true.

if it is a true 20amp receptacle it will look like this:

http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/serverrack/nema-receptacle-5-20r.jpg

if it doesn't look like that it is only rated at 15amps.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have "true" 20A GFCIs in my garage.

 

[Norcal]

15A GFCI devices have a 20A feed through feature but are still limited as a 15A device, they are also a personnel protection device they do not provide overcurrent protection, that is the purpose of a fuse or circuit breaker.