Re: [A/S] GFI Outlets and GFI Breakers

["Oliver Filippi" <ofilippi@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

There are two ways to provide GFI protection.

One way is with a GFI circuit breaker which protects ALL outlets connected
on that circuit.

The other is to use a GFI receptacle, which provides ground fault protection
to that receptacle and any other receptacles CONNECTED DOWNSTREAM of the GFI
receptacle.

Since GFI receptacles (will work on any domestic 120 Volt electrical
system - regardless of the maker of the fuse box or circuit breakers) they
have become so mass produced, that their price is modest (much less than
when they were first introduced).  This low cost, flexibility, and ability
to protect multiple outlets has made them the first choice for most
applications.  When GFI breakers and outlets first came on the market, the
price differential was a lot less, so GFI breakers were more common.
Nowadays, the opposite is true.

The GFI breaker in my '76 Tradewind failed (could not be turned back on)
about 15 years ago.  I replaced it and the new one has worked OK since then.

The GFI receptacle in my current house failed within the first three years
or so (as did those in many of my neighbors, that I know of in this housing
development). The replacement cost less than the original, and has held up a
lot better.  Clearly the manufacturers have gotten a lot better in designing
and fabricating these electrical devices.

Oliver Filippi