24 Feb
1999
24 Feb
'99
10:15 a.m.
RICCARDO wrote:
Travelling in some other EU countryes, I've
noticed that
few household installations have "SAFETY DIFFERENTIAL-CURRENT BREAKERS"
(here in Italy are called "Salva-vita=Life-saver), and also from these
messages I learn that 220v are used also in the US (surprise) for heavy
applications, but again nobody from both side of the ocean refers to the
presence, safetiness, of these devices that here are used and mandatory from
15-20 years.
I would like to hear from you all what's the situation there, if they are
diffused, you use them, are considered (toghether with earthing) enough to
avoid danger situations.
Ciao
Riccardo Romagnoli <chemif(a)mbox.queen.it>
In the US, they are called GFI (ground fault interrupt) breakers. Most
building codes now require that they be installed in "Wet" areas during
new construction. Typically they are found in bathrooms, kitchens,
garages, and outdoor recepticles. Generally, they are NOT required in
other areas and few people install them anywhere other than the required
places.
Normally the current flow is through one leg of the "Main" and the
"Neutral". NOTE: The neutral is not the same as ground but the
electrical potential is usually very close. In normal operation, there
is NO current flow between the appliance and the earth "Ground". If
something (your body) makes a connection between one of the legs and the
"Earth Ground", the device senses the current and trips the curcuit
breaker.
I'm sure these things have saved thousands of lives...
Steve Robertson <steverob(a)hotoffice.com>