Originally Posted By: jpeck
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Jerry S.,
They are still called GFCIs. They still have test and reset buttons.
They just do not have receptacle outlets. Visualize a GFCI receptacle, then tape over the two receptacles, leaving only the buttons showing. That is the GFCI device.
As far as wording goes, I would include something about 'permanently wired GFCI devices. "Devices" includes receptacles, breakers, etc. From the 2002 NEC "Device. A unit of an electrical system that is intended to carry but not utilize electric energy."
First, the need to limit it to those inspected. That by-passes the implication that ALL (remember the old saying, never say never and never say always? that also applies to ALL without a qualifier, miss one and you are screwed).
The inspector SHALL (means MUST)
test (what they are supposed to do)
all GFCI devices inspected (this is how many they MUST test)
with the GFCI device's test and reset buttons (this is how, there is no requirement to use a remote GFCI tester, which, by the way, will not work on a GFCI device which does not have a ground)
to see if the GFCI protection trip off and remove power to the part of the circuit being protected (this is the why the inspector is testing them, to see if they are working, and not the entire circuit, but the part of the circuit that GFCI device is protecting).
The inspector SHALL - test - all GFCI devices inspected - with the GFCI device's test and reset buttons - to see if the GFCI protection trip off and remove power to the part of the circuit being protected.
Does this include testing ALL receptacles which SHOULD have GFCI protection? No.
Why? Because how is the inspector to know which receptacles, etc. required GFCI protection when the structure was built, or if the receptacle was replaced at a later date requiring GFCI protection to be added, without knowing when each AHJ in their area adopted which code and when.
To make matters worse, if this were to refer to the NEC as in 'all receptacles required by the most recent NEC edition at the time of the inspection' would now open all inspectors up as being held to the most current NEC edition as an NEC code inspector. There should be no reference to the NEC or any other code.
This needs to be satisfied to test ALL GFCI devices inspected with the GFCI devices own test and reset buttons.
There was a GFCI receptacle up on the shelf in the garage which you did not see? Then you did not inspect it, thus you were not required to test it.
As soon as references are made to 'ALL which should have GFCI protection', Pandora's Box has been opened and you can never close it.
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Jerry Peck
South Florida