What are GFCI outlets? Plus 5 household items you should never plug into one

While GFCI outlets connection reliable extortion compared with modular outlets, they aren't meant for each benignant of electrical device. Some items should ne'er beryllium plugged into a GFCI, arsenic they could malfunction oregon travel the circuit unnecessarily, starring to powerfulness disruptions oregon unsafe situations. Below is simply a database of devices not suited for GFCIs.

1. Devices with a "high inrush" current

Appliances like refrigerators, freezers, air conditioner units, and power tools require a superior archetypal burst of energy erstwhile powered on. Yes, adjacent though refrigerators are astir ever located successful kitchens, the counterintuitive information is that they tin origin the GFCI to travel due to the fact that of the ample archetypal surge of current, adjacent if determination is nary existent fault. This is known arsenic "nuisance tripping," and it is aptly named. Don't hazard spoiling a fridge afloat of foods by plugging it into a GFCI.

2. Outdoor equipment

Similarly, outdoor instrumentality specified as electric lawnmowers or pressure washers should ideally beryllium plugged into a dedicated outdoor outlet. While GFCIs are designed for outdoor usage to trim daze hazards, high-powered instrumentality tin origin the GFCI to travel if it draws excessively overmuch existent astatine 1 time. 

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3. High-powered appliances

Appliances that usage important power, specified as space heaters, microwave ovens, or vacuum cleaners, tin origin a GFCI outlet to trip, particularly if they are utilized connected a circuit with precocious loads. These appliances could make a concern wherever the GFCI trips often (more nuisance tripping).

4. Surge protectors oregon powerfulness strips

Some power strips and surge protectors, peculiarly those with aggregate plugs for high-powered devices, could origin the GFCI outlet to travel owed to the combined electrical load. A abrupt powerfulness surge oregon imbalance could origin the GFCI to travel unexpectedly, defeating the GFCI outlet's intent and causing repeated circuit tripping.

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5. Medical equipment

Medical instrumentality like CPAP machines and oxygen concentrators require continuous, uninterrupted power, truthful we counsel plugging these captious devices into accepted outlets, not GFCIs. Some aesculapian devices person delicate circuitry, and the GFCI whitethorn travel unnecessarily, causing a nonaccomplishment of powerfulness to life-sustaining equipment.

Bonus. Sump pumps

While the National Electrical Code (NEC) specifically mandates that caller operation includes GFCIs successful basements, determination is different ironic exclusion among the list: sump pumps. Sump pumps are designed to forestall flooding, but if the GFCI trips and cuts disconnected its power, your basement mightiness extremity up nether respective inches of water.