Grounding probes: Hazard or helpful?

Yeah, multiple GFCIs on a single branch circuit are much better than protecting the branch circuit with a single GFCI breaker. They way a single fault does not bring down the whole circuit, just the GFCI the fault occurs on.
 
GFCI outlets cost around $10 each. A GFCI breaker will cost about $30 to $50 depending on your panel type. A handyman with electrical knowledge can replace a GFCI receptacle, but I wouldn't advise an average person to go messing around in a live power panel. Plus, for near the same material costs, you can have diversity in your outlets (one trip won't take out everything).

As for most reliable brands, I do know know. I've never really have one fail the "Push to Test" test at home (but I have had a few in on industrial sites fail -- and those were supposedly bought at an electrical supply house). My bathroom/kitchen ones I bought at Home Depot, while the ones for my tank I got at Stokes Lighting (along with my SquareD QO Panelboard and about $700 other stuff that I replaced when I moved in 3 years ago).
 
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To expand on what has been said:

There are some studies that indicate over a 37% GFCI receptacel failure to trip rates and over 57% GFCI breaker failure to trip rates. The studies were somewhat biased in the way the collected the data, but that is another story. Most of the failures were due to voltage spikes damaging the sensing circuit.

No matter what the case, you should TEST the GFCI on a very regular basis. PERIOD!

As for brand? I would stick with Hubbell or Leviton. Cooper is not bad either. I don't have any evidence that the HD or other brands are any less reliable, but I know that Hubbell is very reliable, as is Leviton. That is what is used in most hospital and government buildings.

The SECOND thing to take notice of is the voltage spikes. You really should have a decent sized TVSS (transient voltage surge supressor) attached to your main service panel. They cost from $50 to $150 or so for the size needed for a home. An electrician can install one in about 15 minutes. $200 for a decent TVSS and install will make your house safer and protect your electronics many times more than those crap "surge strips" that everyone buys.
 
Dang, Bean. You just reminded me of one more thing on my "to do" list that I am sure I'll neglect until a lightning strike fries my tank equipment, washer/dryer, refrigerator, range, and HVAC unit. :)
 
WWHweb3.jpg


Now thats a grounding system!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13331889#post13331889 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by coralfragger101
Is a TVSS something you can pick up at HD and install yourself?
Click to expand...
Not really. You can find a few at Grainger that might work, but selecting and installing one requires a little knowledge and getting inside your power panel. A local electrical supply house would have these as well -- and likely cost less than Grainger.

Something like this:
For a SquareD Homeline Panel:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/3XB85

For a SquareD QO Panel:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/3XB84

For general external wiring to a panel:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/3XB86

(Disclaimer: don't run off and buy one -- I haven't checked to see if this is right for a 200 Amp home panel or if it is right for your house/area and available surge current).
 
I prefer the Liebert TVSS (LPL or LPM) for home/ small business. They cost a little more, but are rock solid. The squareD ones are ok, as are the TrippLite, Leviton, etc.

Call a few local electrical contracting companies. Many are running a $100 TVSS deal (they are giving them away so that they can get into your home and solicit other electrical work).

Bean
 
I have half a dozen Leviton GFCI outlets in hand and will work on switching the old outlets out today so on to the TVSS that would work in my place. I figured the first thing I would need to find out is "what" panel I have before anyone could recommend something.

Unfortunately for me, I have discovered that what I'm working with here is a 125 Amp Zinsco panel.

I've already read that most folks would recommend a complete replacement of my panel. So let's not go there. At this point - I'm not going to do it. Maybe the first time one of the over 100 units burns down in my complex, I might consider it. Just hope the first one isn't mine.

With that said, could we get any recommendations for a TVSS that would work or would the above recommendations still hold true?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13332623#post13332623 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by coralfragger101
I have half a dozen Leviton GFCI outlets in hand and will work on switching the old outlets out today so on to the TVSS that would work in my place. I figured the first thing I would need to find out is "what" panel I have before anyone could recommend something.
Click to expand...

The brand or type of panel will not matter. Most commerical grade TVSS units are external NEMA or STEEL boxes that need to be wired to the service panel like any other external device. They usually come with short lead wires that are not meant to be extended. You simply use a short piece of liquid tight, or enter the TVSS hub directly into the service panel. There will be (2) HOT leads that will go directly to a double pole 15A breaker. If it is the MAIN service panel, both the neutral and ground leads will go to the neutral/ground bus bar. If it is a subpanel, then the neutral and ground leads will go to their respective bus bars. Some TVSS units can be ordered with the option seperate neutral and ground wires (for sub panels) or single bonded neutral/ground (for main panels where neutral and ground are already bonded). I.E. 120/240 (3) wire or 120/240 (4) wire.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13331909#post13331909 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BeanAnimal
WWHweb3.jpg


Now thats a grounding system!
Click to expand...
This a perfect example why NEC requires an additional 2 ground rods to a water groud. When the water pipe is cut its no longer a ground.

WWHweb3.jpg

Bean please dont think I am being a wise guy, I just saw that and posted.
 
As a recently graduated electrical engineer, who does not perform any real engineering work (government). I found this to be an interesting thread.

I'm impressed by Bean. Appears to be very knowledgeable, extremely clear, and surprisingly very understanding when others choose to debate in a different manner.

Good thread overall.
 
Stay away from cheap GFIs. I had a new one I just put in go psycho on me. About a week after I installed it it sounded like a buzzer then blew up . It had nothing plugged into it.

Absolutely: Leviton or Hubbell.

Oh and did I say junk your ground probes? :D
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13331909#post13331909 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BeanAnimal
WWHweb3.jpg


Now thats a grounding system!
Click to expand...

A grounding metal rod is not supouse to be be buried in earth?
Along with that, the area is not supouse to be treated with some chemicals (to get full contact with earth)?
Asking because I need to install one
 
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