Does the Home Inspection Report say the GFCI Outlets Won't Trip?
Understanding GFCI Protected Outlets in Your Home
Having a small ding on a home inspection report can be a significant pain point in selling a home. In older homes, GFCI protection is required in the kitchen, bathroom, garage, and outside outlets, so if the inspection report comes back as needing the GFCI replaced or checked by a licensed electrician, usually the issue will have to be resolved before closing on the home.
Fortunately, GFCI outlets or breakers not tripping are usually one of two things; the most common issue is a faulty device or breaker that needs to be replaced. The second issue is having GFCI protection on an ungrounded circuit. Even though the GFCI device is in good working order, when a GFCI tester is plugged in and tested, the circuit will not trip.
When a GFCI Tester attempts to trip a circuit and test for proper operation, it uses a shunt that sends a small amount of current from the hot wire to the ground wire, causing the GFCI device to trip. Because there is no ground wire in your ungrounded circuit, the shunt will not work. The only way to test the circuit at this point is to press the test button on the GFCI device itself; if it trips, then your GFCI protection is working as it should.
Even though older home only requires GFCI protection in the kitchen, bathroom, garage, and outside outlets it is a good practice to include Arc Fault / GFCI Protection for all living areas of the home; if your older home was built new today, this would be the code standard it would have to follow.
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- Bonnie W., Greenville, SC
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M. Chancey, Greenville, SC
"We're very happy with the level of service that Upstate Electrical Solutions provided. We received a thorough, professional quote for rewiring our house. Ian did such a great job that I would recommend him to anyone needing electrical work done. We couldn't be happier with the professional work he did and the level of customer service he provided."
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Ronald R., Fitchburg, MA
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"I called Upstate Electrical Solutions for a problem with my circuit breaker. Ian answered my call and tried to troubleshoot over the phone. We agreed a service call was necessary and he was at my house in about an hour. He quickly remedied the problem and made an incidental repair while he was there at no additional charge. Will definitely use this company in the future."
Bonnie W., Greenville, SC
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Scott S., Raleigh, NC
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Having a small ding on a home inspection report can be a significant pain point in selling a home. In older homes, GFCI protection is required in the kitchen, bathroom, garage, and outside outlets, so if the inspection report comes back as needing the GFCI replaced or checked by a licensed electrician, usually the issue will have to be resolved before closing on the home.
