Old question re-kindled

[sirloinofbeef001]

To use gfi's or not.  I remember someone stating they are not needed.. can someone reflect on this again?

[n1ist]

They are needed for all outdoor circuits.  Both by NEC and for safety.
/mike

[sirloinofbeef001]

I thougbt someone said last year that they were not needed and i decided to keep them anyway. I have one playing games with me so i left it off.  <md.. the show is running to a full crowd with no MEGA TREE. LOL.

[keitha43]

Without them fried young-uns could be on the menu.
Sent from my Thunderbolt using Tapatalk 2.

[frankr]

Yes I use only GFI circuits and I spend an inordinate amount of time making sure that nothing is in contact with the ground to help avoid tripping the GFIs.  The first couple years were a constant battle.  After a couple years and perfecting my process I did not fear rain.

Then I switched to Smart String stuff and now I am deathly affraid of the rain... Albeit for much different reasons...

Frank

[rrowan]

To use gfi's or not.  I remember someone stating they are not needed.. can someone reflect on this again?

I think that was tbone321's argument

My outdoor outlets are gfi - thats my choice

Rick R.

[jnealand]

The only problem I ever had with gfi tripping was when I had incan lawn lights.  Once I removed them no more trips even though all my mini trees are made from incans on metal floral easels pushed into the ground to keep them from blowing over.  YMMV, bu I would keep the gfi's.

[tbone321]

Yea, that was probably me and I stand by it.  GFCI is a great idea and a life saver is the situations it was designed for but temporary outdoor light displays is not one of them.  They provide little to no real protection from anything in that situation.  Most of not all of the cords that someone could come in contact with are already on the ground and even if they had insulation damage, stepping on them would push them into the ground and that's where the electricity wants to go anyway.  Even here in NC, in the winter most people are wearing shoes, especially at night which provides insulation from the wires as well.  There is no real reason for anyone (but me) to be messing with any suspended wires feeding lights in trees or bushes and even there, the shoe issue will still protect them.  If they do get a shock, in most cases it would be from the electricity coming out of the wire, thru the persons body part, and back into the wire (shoe insulation) and the GFCI will not see that as an issue and keep on cranking.  If you feel more comfortable using them then by all means, do so.  I have been doing this for over 40 years (long before the existence of GFCI) and still have a body count of ZERO.  When I convert completely to LED and my permanent outside outlets can handle the load from the display on there own, then I will be using GFCI as well because that's what they are and I see no reason to change it.

[chrisatpsu]

it depends on their use.

If you're adding receptacles for use for blinky blinky, or if the receptacles are going outside, then they need to be GFCI-protected. IF your just starting out, and the extension cords are coming through the window to your living room, they should be GFCI, but don't need to be. 

with all that aside.

TO me it doesn't matter if it won't stop all the chances of preventing harm to someone. If it has the possibility to prevent harm to someone, by all means do it.

it goes the same as you shouldn't be overloading a house circuit, and you shouldn't be using cracked extension cords.

Protect yourselves. It's not fun if someone get hurt.

[taybrynn]

Use them.  I had them for 2 years and never tripped one.  13 dedicated circuits and I was wondering if I had overdone it.

Then in year 3, tripped one a lot.  THen last year tripped a couple.

One situation was where (I latered learned that) the wind had damaged some strings and broken bulbs, exposing live wires to the elements.  Then when the wind would pick up, it was shorting out and tripping my GFCI(s).  I ater learned it was likely contacting the megatree pole and could have been dangerous, but the GFI blew and that was that.  Yes, it was frustrating to figure out
and fix ... but worth it for the peace of mind and safety.

[PJNMCT]

+1 on the "use them"

[wwwgator]

GFCI are required for all outdoor outlets, even for temporary display/power. This applies to home, construction sites, wet locations both outside AND inside. PERIOD.

We had a huge discussion about this ( holiday lighting) at my last inspectors code class, and while most people dont know what code is, liability still falls upon the home owner if some one were to be hurt.

With all due respect tbone, your electrical shock/shoe theory should be revisited. Yes, in some instances your shoe MAY protect you, but as always, safety first.

[deplanche]

GFIs are sort of like seat belts.  You are probably safer with them than without them.  In order to be within the law (or code), you need to use them.  But don't count on them to save you, they are just added protection.

[rayster]

OK, another twist on the subject, is it better to use GFCI outlets or install GFCI breakers where it might be easier to get to a breaker panel then s to the outlet?

Ray

[tbone321]

As long as the outlets are protected, the level of protection is the same.  While the breakers are possible more convenient, they are also MUCH more expensive than the outlets and are always full sizes which sucks up more room in your panel.  If you have the room and don't mind spending the extra money for the convenience, then install the breakers.  Just make sure that you get the correct ones for your panel.