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Does gfci protect from lightning ?

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tom baker

First Chief Moderator & NEC Expert
Staff member
Location
Bremerton, Washington
Occupation
Master Electrician
No.
SPDS can, but not if a direct strike.
Put an spd at point of use for electronics, and a panel type at the service.
 

Little Bill

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Tennessee NEC:2017
Occupation
Semi-Retired Electrician
I've seen lightning blow out (literally) a GFCI receptacle in a garage and also cause damage to the door opener. A GFCI is not a surge protection device.
 

paulengr

Senior Member
A friend asked me if his garage outlets had been gfci, would it have saved his panel board in his garage door opener motor when lightning close by damaged it.

No. A GFCI has nothing to do with lightning protection. Even if somehow it triggered the lightning pulse is too fast.
 

kwired

Electron manager
Location
NE Nebraska
Occupation
EC
I wouldn't say never, a lesser surge could trip it before the nearby strike occurs, then the load side item is more isolated. Certainly wouldn't count on that to happen though.
 
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