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c/electriciansthea_mitchell20thea_mitchell201mo agoProlific Poster

I was wrong about GFCI outlets in dry areas

I always figured garages didn't need GFCI protection since they're not wet like bathrooms. But then my buddy's drill shorted out on a concrete floor and the old outlet didn't trip. He got a nasty jolt that could have been worse. Now I make sure to install GFCIs everywhere the code says, no exceptions.
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3 Comments
jamesf26
jamesf261mo ago
How many other places do we think are dry but actually aren't? My unfinished basement comes to mind, it seems dry until a dehumidifier hose leaks or something. Even outdoor outlets under a roof cover can get hit by driven rain. That concrete floor story really shows how a surface can become a path for current without any standing water.
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moore.troy
moore.troy1mo ago
@jamesf26, my garage slab wicks humidity like crazy, always seems dry until you step on it. That concrete floor story is too real.
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mila631
mila63127d ago
Actually think people worry too much about hidden moisture. Most surfaces feel dry because they are dry enough. A little dampness underfoot isn't the same as a real electrical path. That concrete story sounds like a one in a million thing.
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