Inge,

Would you mean the Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) outlet?  A fascinating 
device.  In simple terms in monitors the hot lead current flow and the neutral 
lead current flow.  If there is a small difference, I've heard 20mA as a number, 
the outlet is interrupted.  If 20ma more is flowing through the hot lead than 
the return it means that the current flow has found another way to complete 
the circuit.  The most likely path in that case is you! So if an outlet is within 
6ft of water or a potential location for water it must be protected by GFI.

Drew

---------------------------------------------------
Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0
To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in
the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet
To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL)
To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest
Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives
Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815
-----------------------------------------------------