Benefits of Audible GFCIs
If you’ve ever lost power to an appliance and didn’t realize it until the next day, you might end up with a huge mess on your hands. Think about a clothes dryer that stops working, leaving your damp clothing to get mildew. Another bad scenario is realizing too late that your freezer stopped working and you now have a freezer full of spoiled meats and other foods. Maybe you were charging your electric vehicle and you got up in the morning to realize that it had stopped charging.
What’s worse is that the power never went off in the house. So what happened?
Power Resets
All of these situations have happened to people. Their appliances quit working when the electrical current was tripped by a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter).
GFCIs are invaluable for preventing electrical dangers and current overload. But if you’re not aware that an appliance or device has stopped working, you could have a big problem on your hands. That’s where audible GFCIs come in. They alert you when an outlet shuts off.
Why GFCIs Trip
You already know why it’s important to install GFCIs on your outlets. GFCIs provide safety by “tripping” or stopping the flow of electricity when the outlet encounters some of the following problems:
- something that’s blocking the wires
- moisture in the current
- an overload of current
- any change in electrical flow
GFCIs protect you from shock, fire, and damage to plugged-in devices. Now you can take safety a step further by using GFCI outlets that not only protect you from danger but alert you to it.
What is an Audible GFCI?
The latest in electrical protection, audible GFCI outlets emit a high-pitched sound to let you know that the circuit has been cut off to an outlet. Once you’ve been notified of the problem, you can either reset the outlet or plug the appliance into another one.
You can avoid messy, annoying situations like the ones above with an audible GFCI. Many of them include smart features and self-testing.
Benefits of Audible GFCIs
Essential commercial equipment. Machinery that runs your business might be located in basements, separate sheds or other out-of-the-way spots. You probably make periodic checks on them to make sure they’re still working. With an audible GFCI, you’ll be able to know that they have tripped for some reason.
Medical equipment. If someone in your family relies on medical equipment, you can rest assured that you’ll be alerted if the device trips. This could also be a lifesaver in a hospital or clinic settings.
Freezers and refrigerators. If you keep a spare freezer in your basement or garage, an audible GFCI will let you know that it has tripped and that you need to get the food refrigerated quickly.
Sample Products
Following are some of the audible GFCI outlets that are currently available. These are all made by Leviton.
GFTA1-W Audible GFCI Receptacle, 15 Amp, 125 Volts. This outlet is designed for both commercial and residential applications.
SmartLockPro 15 Amp 125-Volt Self-Test Tamper-Resistant GFCI Outlet with Audible Trip Alert. This outlet periodically self-tests and also emits a sound when it trips. The outlet includes a display face that is easy to read and provides information about the outlet.
SmartLockPro 20 Amp Self-Test Slim GFCI Outlet with Audible Trip Alert. This has the same features as the above outlet but in a higher-amp receptacle. The SmartLock feature prevents the outlet from resetting if the GFCI is not functioning properly or if it tripped because of reversed line and load leads.
Make the Smart Choice with SESCOS
At SESCOS, we sell a full range of outlets, including new ones with audible GFCIs and other features. We’ll help you select the right outlets for your home and install them safely. Contact SESCOS today and learn about the options available in audible GFCI outlets that will help you save time and money.