Your Houston commercial electrician is here to help you ensure electrical safety and compliance for your commercial building. One critical part of keeping your workplace safe from electrical hazards is ensuring you have GFCI outlets where code requires. In this article, we’ll discuss how to make sure you have proper GFCI placement throughout your commercial property.
Ask Your Houston Commercial Electrician About GFCI Requirements
Your Houston electrical contractors are a great resource for knowing where you need GFCI outlets. There are many places where they are required by code or where we may recommend them for increased safety.
During your annual maintenance appointment, our electricians can look for areas where you might need GFCI outlets. If you think you might be out of compliance with NEC requirements for GFCI protected outlets, you can also schedule an electrical code compliance review with our team. We know the codes like the back of our hands and can quickly evaluate your building for areas that need GFCI outlets.
Generally, you need GFCI protected outlets in places where outlets might come into contact with water. For instance, you usually need them in bathrooms, kitchens, and rooftops for commercial buildings. Most outdoor outlets will also need GFCI protection. Your building also needs GFCI outlets near HVAC and refrigeration equipment.
If you’re in the middle of construction or a remodel, you might have temporary wiring. All temporary wiring also needs GFCI protection per code to protect workers from potential electrocution risks. Therefore, you’ll need your Houston commercial electrician to install them during major construction or renovation projects as well.
Purpose of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters
Now you know some areas where you need GFCI outlets, let’s talk about what they actually are and why you need them in your building. GFCI stands for ground fault circuit interrupter. They are specifically to improve human safety from electrical shock and electrocution.
A GFCI outlet senses when the electricity flowing into the circuit is different from the electricity flowing out. Even small differences can indicate that a person’s body is starting to receive a shock. If it senses this, then the GFCI outlet interrupts the circuit and stops the flow of power. Therefore, it’s incredibly important to make sure your Houston commercial electrician installs these outlets in areas in your building with the most risk for electrical shock.
How Your Houston Electrical Contractors Install GFCI Outlets
The good news is that installing GFCI protected outlets in necessary areas is typically a quick and straightforward project for an experienced commercial electrician. In many cases, there’s no need to make major changes to your building’s electrical system. Instead, usually it’s just a matter of connecting the correct wires to the outlet and performing a few quick tests to ensure the GFCI is working properly. So, it’s a simple and affordable way to improve electrical safety in your building and also prevent fines from non-compliance with the National Electrical Code and other building codes.
Windsor Electrical Service – Your Trusted Houston Commercial Electrician Since 1988
When you need electrical service for your commercial building, our team at Windsor Electrical Service is here to help. We have been a family owned and operated business since 1988. In our over three decades of service, we have built a strong reputation for excellence and quality work. We offer a wide range of services, whether you need GFCI installation or need a Houston master electrician to renovate your building’s electrical system. Get in touch now to request a quote from our team for all your commercial electrical needs.