Electrician & Plumber • Licensed & Insured • Residential & Commercial • Credit Cards Accepted • Serving the Birmingham, AL area • 24/7 Emergency Service Available

(205) 426-0583

What is GFCI protection and how is it maintained?

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) devices are required in specific areas of our homes by law. What is GFCI protection? We must all have GFCI protection in certain parts of our house such as our kitchens, bathrooms, unfinished basements, outside our homes as well as our garages. GFCI devices monitor the electricity between the ungrounded (hot) and grounded (neutral) conductors. If there is an improper imbalance between the two conductors the GFCI will stop the power from exiting the receptacle, so no one gets an electrical shock.

GFCI protection comes in two different forms. The most noticeable would be in the form of a receptacle. The second form of GFCI protection that is common in homes is GFCI breakers. Both of these devices protect people from an electrical shock. The receptacle is located in the outlet where we plug devices in. The breaker is located in the electrical panel.

GFCI devices need to be adequately maintained. It is suggested to test the GFCI device on a monthly basis by manufactures. The way you check the device is as follows:

On the receptacle, there is a test button, press the button. After you pressed the button to try to plug something into the receptacle, the item you plugged in should not work. Now, press the reset button and plug the same thing in. You should have restored the power.

On the breaker, press the test button located on the breaker. The breaker should now be turned off. To restore power to the breaker make sure the breaker is in the off position and push to the on position, this will restore power to the circuit.

Please make sure the GFCI protection in all the areas of your home are tested on a monthly basis to ensure the devices are working correctly to protect you and your family.

Contact John's Electric to make sure you have the proper outlets in your home. 

Return to blog

Current Specials

Free Home Electrical Inspection

With any paid electrical repair. A $100 value.
Must use coupon code JELFREEHOME.
Offer does not expire

$200 Off Electrical Panel Upgrade

On Any Electrical Panel Upgrade.
Taxes and dispatch fee additional. Please call for details. Must print this coupon and redeem at time of initial dispatch call.
Offer does not expire

$25 Off Any Electrical Repair

Must mention promo code: 25OFF
Cannot be combined with any other offer. Does not include dispatch fee.
Offer does not expire

Free Second Opinion

on service/breaker upgrades or fuse box repairs.
Must use coupon code JELFREESECONDOPINION.
Offer does not expire

Latest Tips

Welcome to the Neighborhood!

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

John's Electric Service strives to give the best possible service through:

Finish reading Welcome to the Neighborhood!...

New homeowners should never ignore these electrical responsibilities.

Monday, August 9, 2021

Whether the issue is large or small, problems with electricity are often ignored until they become apparent.  It's easy to avoid thinking about problems that can occur in our appliances, circuit breakers, wall outlets, and even light bulbs. But often, ignoring issues while they are small leads to more significant problems and the necessity for the help of an electrician.

Finish reading New homeowners should never ignore these electrical responsibilities....

About John's Electric

Linn Park Fountain, Birmingham, AL

John's Electric Inc. is a family owned and operated electrical contractor business that proudly provides electrician services in Birmingham, AL and the surrounding areas such as Hoover, Homewood, Chelsea, Vestavia Hills, Pelham, Alabaster, Trussville, and Mountain Brook. John's Electric provides residential and commercial electrical solutions at competitive rates. We have been in this line of work for 30 years, giving us not only experience but expertise as well. You can depend on us. We are a state licensed electrician (#03875) for your protection.

  • Angie's List
  • Better Business Bureau
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • HomeAdvisor
  • Instagram
  • Yellow Pages
  • Yelp

What others say about John's Electric Service

Solved a problem thus restoring my power to some areas of my house

Had a number of outlets not working and lost AC in 97 degree weather--he came twice the 1st time approx 1hr 20 minutes--wasn't able to locate problem---this I put on myself as I was unaware of putting a breaker box behind a vanity that hadn't been move since purchase of my house. Second visit after some search found problem 1hr

OK the skinny--I think he was professional--on time

Was upfront on costs

Problem once the second box was located was an easy fix so thought a touch high on price--that said it was upfront and had I had the answer to location as I should have I think the billing would be much lower so will put this on myself. In other words I don't think he would have ripped me off

Bonus was after having 4 others trying to blame AC and being told I needed a new one---he said everything in my problems was electrical--and viewing my AC said it was fine--no need of new unit--for the moment if right saving me $$$$

Angie's List Member

Angie's List

My Mother recently came to live with me, and I needed a fan installed in her west-facing room, to keep it cool in the guest room. I had to wait a little bit, but it was worth it. The price was reasonable, I could tell he was conscientious and he made an extra effort to do as much as he could while he was here - including going down through a difficult attic to install, so the wires would not show. Highly recommend. He came with his grandson and they worked a few hours. Hoping to get him back soon for some more work. Thank you, John!

dpiroch

Yellow Pages

Mr. Teele arrived quickly, diagnosed our outage problem and fixed it that same afternoon. We have an older electrical system that many other electricians simply won't work with. But Mr. Teele confidently made repairs and even called to check on us the next day to ensure all was working well.

Danielle H Plott

Google

Fixed our outside meter box. Less than 2 hours work.

They did wonderful. Alabama Power was a little hard to deal with, but they arranged everything. Pretty good communication. I thought they were a little pricey, even with the coupon. They made the repairs and the power was back on in less than two hours.

Angie's List Member

Angie's List