ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area gfci testing

hey guys. This question was brought up to me and i dont know the answer. Is there anything in the codebook the says we need to testgfci receptacles once a month in a healthcare facility or in a residential dwelling? (by the way Im in Los Angeles)

I don't think it is in the Code book anywhere, but it should be listed in the documentation that the GFI came with.

I would say that 100.3(B) applies. The instructions with GFCIs cover monthly testing.

Dave

Dave in regards to 100.3(b).

Yes and No, yes they should be tested within the manufacturers recomendation, but who is responsable would be the question, the EC who installed them, or the end user?

I would doubt the EC, nor would I do it unless they paid me too.

Here in NJ the state would allow an EC to do an inspection once a year for some health care facilities.( like a nursing home) While I was doing my inspections I would test the GFI's. Some facilities have their own electrical staff and I would think that they should be testing their stuff.However in the residential area, I would think that if the EC leaves the manufactures instructions with the Homeowner (HO) then it would be up to the HO to test thier own devices.

Other than stretching 110.3(B) into this there is nothing in the NEC about it. I feel like Dnkldorf does about 110.3(B).

Who is the one responsible for the testing and enforcement of the testing?

However health care facility's fall under many codes and it would not surprise me if regular testing of GFCIs is required by one or more of these other codes.

Also there are OSHA rules regarding the testing of GFCIs.

This is a very good point, medical installation or not.
I wouldn't personally depend upon a Homeowner to regularly test a GFCI, even if you do show them how it's done and explain why it's to be done, most homeowners will have forgotten 10 minutes after you leave from installing the thing.
Our RCD's (=GFCI)here have a note on them:
Test this device monthly

I suspect a lot of Homeowners don't realise they even have them, until one trips oneday.