OT: Re: Audiophilia

On Apr 29, 2012, at 3:47 PM, Tony Duell wrote: I think that's what we call a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interruptor), which we usually use to keep ourselves safe when we're trying to vacuum water out of the basement (or using toasters near a sink, or all other manner of inadvisable things). Our electric code requires GFCI outlets pretty much anywhere there could be water, such as outside, near sinks and hot water heaters, etc. We don't *usually* have GFCI breakers in our boxes, but they do exist; in residential installations, it's almost always up to the outlet to provide it unless it's for something purpose-built to get wet (like pool pumps). The 2008 National Electric Code requires Arc Fault Circuit Interruptor breakers on pretty much every circuit in the house, but retrofitting older boxes to use them is usually a non-starter because a lot of the house wiring done in the '80s and later by contractors cutting corners uses the "backstab" method where the wires are inserted straight into a hole in the back of the outlet; a single spring clip maintains contact with the wire, so they tend to arc like crazy once they've seen enough use to loosen the spring. Your AFCI breakers would be shutting off the power to half the house all the time. - Dave