[R-390] While we're on the subject of GFCIs

[Jim Haynes]

An article in the April QST by Jerry Paquette clued me that the reason
my GFCI in the washing machine circuit keeps tripping at odd hours is
that it happens when I tune up the antenna on my KW rig.

It was only recently that I learned of the existence of AFCIs - arc fault
circuit interrupters.  These detect arcing in the load, which could
generate a lot of heat and start a fire.  That was a big problem when
aluminum wire was being substituted for copper in house wiring.  I suppose
it could still be a problem in case of a bad outlet or bad plug or any
number of other things.  I had a light socket that arced because a rivet
was a little loose.  These days receptacles and switches are marked that
they are good for Cu-Al or for Cu-only.

Apparently the latest code requires using AFCIs on, basically, all the
kinds of circuits which don't require GFCIs.

One of my friends who is in the business of investigating electrical
accidents and fires had a case fairly recently where a woman in a bathroom
somehow touched a live circuit and got a shock with some severe 
consequences.  My guess is that one of her slender fingers touched a
blade of a plug while she was plugging it into an outlet.  The landlord
almost immediately had the GFCI replaced.  Which means there is no telling
if the GFCI might have been installed backwards, or if it was defective.

Jim W6JVE

jhhaynes at earthlink dot net