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Gardner Bender GFI-501A Ground Fault Receptacle Tester and Circuit Analyzer by GB
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List Price: $11.45 Our Price: $7.94 You Save: $3.51 (31%) Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days Category: Tools See more product details
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Product DetailsManufacturer: GB Model: GFI-501A Color: Red Product features: - Professional grade ground fault receptacle tester
- Easy-to-read red and yellow light system
- Protected by a ground fault receptacle
- Tester trips GFCI between 6- 9 mA
- 1-year limited manufacturer's warranty
Accessories:
Tools and Hardware Reviews of Gardner Bender GFI-501A Ground Fault Receptacle Tester and Circuit AnalyzerCustomer Review: Don't get shocked! Summary: 4 Stars
This is a nice little tester, and is compact and easy to carry.
I plug this into every outlet after I've done any wiring work with it to double-check that I didn't miswire it. Also, sometimes when cramming an outlet back into a tight fitting box, a wire will get disconnected. This will identify that immediately.
A disconnected ground wire will generally not stop something from working when it is plugged in, but could increase the chance of electrical shock. Crossed hot and neutral lines will also not stop the item from working, but, again, can increase the risk of shock.
Don't take chances -- test them.
It is very common for additional outlets to be wired to a single GFCI "downstream" of the main one. This allows a single GFCI outlet to protect multiple, non-GFCI equipped outlets in the same area.
The test button built into all GFCI outlets (required by code) will test the mechanism in that single outlet, but is not as useful for testing outlets that are wired downstream from the GFCI. They will turn off when the main GFCI is tripped, but then you have to test them for power when the GFCI is both on and off to make sure they are properly wired, which is a real time waster and is not as comprehensive.
So, make sure you get a tester with a ground fault button to check GFCI circuits. Not all testers like this have one, and it is worth the modest extra cost.
The little black button fell off of mine, though I can still press it with a fingernail. So, minus one star for that, but otherwise a very nice little unit for quick tests.
Sean P. Logue, 2008
Description of Gardner Bender GFI-501A Ground Fault Receptacle Tester and Circuit AnalyzerGround Fault Receptacle Testers The GB Ground Fault Receptacle Tester and Circuit Analyzer tests ground fault receptacles by overloading circuits and tripping GFCIs. Designed for ease of use, the user needs to simply plug the tester into any circuit protected by a ground fault receptacle (110-125 Volts AC), and press the black button to overload circuit. The tester tests for seven conditions including ground fault interruption, open ground, open neutral, open hot, hot/ground reverse, hot/neutral reverse, and correct wiring. An easy to read succession of yellow and red lights provides indication of circuit status or specifies wiring errors. Easy to read from multiple vantage points--top, side, and bottom--the tester is an ideal choice for personal or professional use. The tester comes with a 1-year limited manufacture's warranty.
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