Open AccessForensic Engineering Analysis Of Electric Shock From Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)
Author(s) -
Richard D. Brugger
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of the national academy of forensic engineers
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.102
H-Index - 1
eISSN - 2379-3252
pISSN - 2379-3244
DOI - 10.51501/jotnafe.v20i2.614
Subject(s) - residual current device , ground , electric shock , electrical shock , electrical engineering , short circuit , current (fluid) , circuit breaker , shock (circulatory) , fault (geology) , electrical conductor , engineering , voltage , geology , medicine , seismology
Many Electrical Wiring Systems Include Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (Gfci) As Protective Elements. The Application Is For Avoidance Of Electric Shock Injuries To A Person In The Event That Their Body Becomes Part Of An Electrical Circuit Path From A Live Wire And Ground. The Theory Behind The Device Is That If There Is A Difference In Electrical Current Flowing Through The Live (120 Volt Ac) Wire And The Neutral Wire, Then The Difference Current Is Flowing To Ground And Is Potentially Hazardous To A Person. Functionally, The Gfci Should Automatically Open The Electrical Circuit Above A Certain Ground Current Value. This Paper Explores How The Circuit May Fail To Provide The Protection For Which It Is Intended, And Result In An Electric Shock.