GFCI's, (also referred to as GFI's),
come in all shapes and sizes, and are required these days on all spa installations. One thing to
remember about them is that they provide an added measure of protection and safety not offered by
anything else available on the market today. 115 Volt
Spas
These days, most spas of this design will provide for a built in
GFCI, either in the spa control pack, or on the plug itself... that is, the plug IS the GFCI. How
do you tell? Just look at it and you'll see either indicator lights, push-buttons, or both, as well
as the manufacturer product identification markings that indicate that it is a Ground Fault Circuit
Interupter. If you are unable to
ascertain that the spa has an integrated GFCI, then you will need to install one (or have an
electrician do this for you) at the dedicated 115 Volt line supply plug in on the side of your
home. Most of you have seen these devices located in the bathrooms of your own home, or in hotel
bathrooms; (they're even putting them on hair dryers these days! Smart move!). If you don't find
them in your "newer" home, chances are that you've got one installed in your circuit
breaker box with a test button on it. To reset it, simply switch the breaker off, and then back on
again.
They will usually have two buttons, one that says
"test", and the other "reset".... or just "T", and "R". To
test the device to see if it is functioning properly, just press the test button, and the reset
button should immediately pop out, and remove power from the outlet, or the device under
power.
If however, the test button doesn't cause the reset button to
pop out, or the reset button won't re-activate power, then the GFCI needs to be replaced. GFCI's of
the wall socket variety can be found at your local hardware store, or building materials supplier.
They will cost between $11.00 and $15.00. Please, for your own safety, don't try to repair a broken
one, or bypass it for that matter... besides, would you really want to risk your life for a lousy
11-15 dollars? Keep it safe, and do it right!
220 Volt
GFCI's |
