This is something I haven't thought to ask before. Obviously the neutral is fed through a GFI breaker, but do American GFIs normally have double-pole contacts which open the neutral, or just single-pole?

found this interesting site that shows a gfci taken apart and talks about it.
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/gfi2.html

Great link with the cool pic of a GFCI. I didn't realise how intricate the circuitry was/is in one. This makes me wonder about the safety of using a cheap off brand GFI. Does anydody know if you "get what you pay for?"

Ah, thanks. That pic answers the question -- D.P. contacts.

GFI performance standards are going to change, see this article

What about all of the existing GFCI's? Will they have to be replaced?



[This message has been edited by Joe Tedesco (edited 08-19-2002).]