![]() Unfortunately, when it comes to Christmas lights and decorations and GFCIs, generally all it takes to trip a circuit is for a little moisture to get into the outlet, cord, or lights. ![]() This prevents people from getting electrocuted. A small variation, as little as 5 milliamps, will cause the circuit to trip or shut down within 1/10 th of a second. But if you want the full description, the NEC defines it as, “A device intended for the protection of personnel that functions to de-energize a circuit or portion thereof within an established period of time when a current to ground exceeds the values established for a Class A device.”īasically, a GFCI senses the slightest difference in the amount of electricity between what enters a circuit and what leaves the circuit. I’m also in no way recommending anything that would go against the standards established by the National Electric Code (NEC).Ī ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protects people from getting shocked. And I’ll be offering some ways to help to minimize the issues related to moisture and GFCIs. ![]() What I’m focusing on in this article is the headaches that GFCIs cause anyone that is installing Christmas lights and decorations, either professionally or at their own home or business. In no way do I want to go back to the days before GFCIs when people were frequently seriously hurt or killed from the lethal combination of water and electricity. They are life-saving devices and countless lives have been saved by having them required for outdoor electrical outlets. Especially in areas that are a little warmer and receive rain instead of snow.īefore going any further, let me make clear that I’m in no way anti-GFCI. When it comes to Christmas lighting and decorating, GFCIs cause more headaches than anything else you’ll deal with. You’re left in the dark with nothing to do but find the pesky little reset buttons and hope to get your lights and décor turned back on again. The GFCI has decided that the mixture of electricity and moisture is unsafe and that the best thing to do is to shut down all your hard work. All it takes is a little moisture sneaking into the Christmas lighting or electrical system and then BAM, in a millisecond, everything goes dark. When it comes to Christmas lighting and decorating, nothing kills a Christmas masterpiece faster than a GFCI tripping. GFCIs and Christmas Lights - A Survival Guide
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