GFI OR GFCI

[lady sparks lover]

My supervisor now tells me that we can no longer designate a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter receptacle as GFI, now it's GFCI on our all of our power plans that we design.

Were we wrong before?? Question, do anyone of you call it a GFCI?? I know it's in the Code as GFCI, but I've always been used to GFI.

Thoughts??

 

[pierre]

Re: GFI OR GFCI

Lady

GFI is to GFCI as BX is to Armored Cable (AC), or Romex is to Non Metallic cable (NM), etc... It is the shortened and easier way to Say GFCI, The slang term.

Pierre

 

[jim dungar]

Re: GFI OR GFCI

GFI is an all encompassing term, but the normal usage is for levels above 1A. Typically the levels begin about 100mA and go upto 1200A. Sometimes the term GFP is used for service entrance equipment.

The term GFCI is used specifically for people protection with a trip level of 6mA in the US.

GFPE is a term usually associated with equipment protection at a level above 6 but not exceding 30mA.

 

[dcl34769]

Re: GFI OR GFCI

actually GFCI should be the term for a GFI breaker, and "GFOI" or ground fault OUTLET interupter should be the term for the outlets, yes/no maybe??????

 

[drg]

Re: GFI OR GFCI

One half of our crew calls them GFI's and the other half calls them GFCI's.........

I have been told they are called GFCI's not GFI's by one fellow that we work with, then he got upset because a few of us started laughing when he brought it up......he got over it.

 

[charlie]

Re: GFI OR GFCI

Lady, when I was teaching apprentices, I insisted they used the correct terms in class and on exams. Romex, GFI, panel, red head, BX, etc were not permitted and they were stopped in mid sentence, or the answer was wrong. My purpose was to have them learn what the proper Code terminology was so they would both understand what they were reading and so they could go to another area of the country and talk to other electricians.

Now lets talk about the real world. Everyone uses words that are different than their original intent. If I say, "You are a cool babe." Do I mean you are chilly and very young? Do the people around know what I mean? That is the purpose of language. Therefore, as long as you are sure everyone around you knows what you mean, the terms you use are OK. It is when I shout, Headache!" and you don't move, it becomes dangerous. That term is used by our line construction people to indicated that the person on the pole has dropped something. The reaction is supposed to be to move directly away from the pole and don't look up.

 

[bennie]

Re: GFI OR GFCI

The correct terminology should be "Ground Fault Current Switch".

A ground fault can be an open circuit (no current) or a short circuit (lots of current).

See the Oxford Dictionary definition of "Fault".

 

[charlie]

Re: GFI OR GFCI

Originally posted by Bennie:
The correct terminology should be "Ground Fault Current Switch".

Bennie, the Code preempts all other dictionaries. I can be a mile away from Mt. Rushmore and my wife would say it is in sight but the Code would refute her statement.

 

[drg]

Re: GFI OR GFCI

Being told proper terminology and explanations is a very welcomed on my part as a beginner electrican ,
most of the guys will go through the process of explaning things to a beginner but there are other ones will openly violate NEC code and flat out say they do not care , they are always in a hurry to screw something up , get mad if you try to work within the NEC code or if you question a code violation that they are asking you to preform........then I am to be lectured by this type of clown for calling a GFCI a GFI?????? You bet I laugh .

 

[gwz2]

Re: GFI OR GFCI

Am I nitpicking when the NEC says " SHALL " and the installation does not comply with that portion of the NEC ?

Correct wording is very important.

Problem is, I used slang terms for so long that I continue to used the slang terms, ie. 1900 box,
'burndy' for for a split bolt connector, ' wirenut ' when referring to any twist-on wire connector, etc.


Look at all the post's on ' grounding jumper ' vs ' bonding jumper ' of the last two to three years.

Especially when talking of the definition of a SDS.

Just like the recent spelling comments , if the word typed begins with the proper letter and ends with the proper letter, the word usually gets it meaning across to the reader, but is the intent fully understood ?

gwz2

 

[charlie b]

Re: GFI OR GFCI

Originally posted by bennie:A ground fault can be an open circuit (no current) or a short circuit (lots of current).

A "Fault" can be an open circuit or a short circuit. A "Ground Fault" requires contact with planet Earth (or with another conductive body that serves in place of Earth). Thus, an open circuit fault is not a ground fault.

 

[lady sparks lover]

Re: GFI OR GFCI

Thanks for your input....

I think GFCI will take some getting used to...not that I'm not familiar with the code I certainly am, but just never thought a sound, intelligent electrical contractor or installer would confuse the terms...

 

[jeff n]

Re: GFI OR GFCI

I always liked the term GFI because years ago I was describing the function of GFI receptacles to a customer and when I was finished she said "Oh so GFI stands for Grounding For Idiots".

 

[renosteinke]

Re: GFI OR GFCI

GFCI is the term associated with the 5-milliamp sensing devices used in your home. Even I call them GFI's, but that's technically incorrect.
Why? Because a GFI is also something used by the power company to protect their transmission lines, and won't trip for less than a gazillion amps. The east coast blackout was caused by surges that tripped a lot of these things. As you might guess, no one want to re-set them untill they're sure the line is OK!