Two photos from today

[480sparky]

Wow..... a GFCI from the 80's!!!!!!!




And....NM with a GRAY neutral? How did THAT ever get a UL listing?

 

[chris1971]

Old school GFCI receptacle.:thumbsup:

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I have seen nm with an off-white (grayish) neutral but not anything that gray

 

[LarryFine]

Gray has always been an acceptable grounded-conductor color.

 

[480sparky]

Gray has always been an acceptable grounded-conductor color.

Only after the 2002 NEC. Before that, it was a ungrounded color.

 

[LarryFine]

I remember "white or neutral gray" from way back.

 

[480sparky]

I remember "white or neutral gray" from way back.

"Natural gray" is not the same as 'gray' is today.

 

[Fliz]

Only after the 2002 NEC. Before that, it was a ungrounded color.

I was told by a member of an NEC code panel that the only reason grey was ever allowed as a neutral color is the old black rubber insulation from way back would be painted white. When it soaked into the rubber it turned a grey finish and therefore the color was codified.

 

[MAC702]

Wow..... a GFCI from the 80's!!!!!!!...

Tested monthly, of course!

 

[480sparky]

Tested monthly, of course!

For one month.

 

[Coppersmith]

Wow..... a GFCI from the 80's!!!!!!!

View attachment 19404

Strangely enough, I run across these every once in a while and they are still working whereas the new ones I put in seem to only last a year.

 

[user 100]

Strangely enough, I run across these every once in a while and they are still working whereas the new ones I put in seem to only last a year.

There is another way of looking at that: Are these vintage gfcis "still protecting"/effective or are they simply "working"?

Current generation GFCIs test themselves and lockout automatically when they fail- these old guys don't.

There could be something in your sitch (lightning will do it and you are in Florida.....) that is messing w/ the electronics-----the theory being GFCI locks itself after an event. That said, IME, newer GFCIs tend to trip /c of a surge but usually still work.

 

[dmsv10]

Strangely enough, I run across these every once in a while and they are still working whereas the new ones I put in seem to only last a year.

The need to lower cost, build inferior products. Keeps the financial cycle of life going for someones profit!

Sent from my LGMP260 using Tapatalk

 

[480sparky]

There is another way of looking at that: Are these vintage gfcis "still protecting"/effective or are they simply "working"?
.................

Same argument can be said about standard breakers. Even brand new ones you just installed today.

 

[JFletcher]

Strangely enough, I run across these every once in a while and they are still working whereas the new ones I put in seem to only last a year.

Last one of those I replaced was miswired all kinds of wrong and when I wired in the new GFCI, it locked out. those old ones will still pass power even if line and load are reversed, and I've seen them "trip" and keep downstream receptacles energized.

Just a caveat to anyone replacing GFCI that old: verify the line and load are correct, do not assume the previous ec got it right.

 

[kwired]

Last one of those I replaced was miswired all kinds of wrong and when I wired in the new GFCI, it locked out. those old ones will still pass power even if line and load are reversed, and I've seen them "trip" and keep downstream receptacles energized.

Just a caveat to anyone replacing GFCI that old: verify the line and load are correct, do not assume the previous ec got it right.

Don't assume line and load are on same position on the device as the new one either. Though new ones should not reset if you do get it wrong.

 

[norcal]

That GFCI receptacle by any chance a GE? Sure looks like a vintage GE.