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1-1
Ground Fault
Circuit
Interrupters
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1-2
A GFCI will open the circuit when the current to ground
exceeds some predetermined value (such as 5 milliamperes).
They can be found as part of a circuit breaker in a
distribution box or in a load center.
They can be found as part of a duplex receptacle.
Or, they can be found as part of an assembly at the
end of a line cord.
TEST

RESET
TEST
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1-3
L
O
A
D
Hot
Neutral
Start with a toroid core.
Add hot and neutral windings.
Adding a load will cause current
to flow and magnetic flux in the core.
Note that the flux created by the neutral
wire opposes the flux from the hot wire.
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1-4
L
O
A
D
Hot
Neutral
The flux cancels.
No flux means no output
from the sense winding.
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1-5
L
O
A
D
Hot
Neutral
Lets add a ground fault.
The fault current flows in the
hot wire but not in the neutral.
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1-6
L
O
A
D
Hot
Neutral
The hot wire current is larger
and its flux is greater.
The net flux produces an
output at the sense winding.
(to service panel ground)
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1-7
Hot
Neutral
Line Load
LM1851
MOV
SCR
Bridge rectifier
Circuit breaker
GFCI schematic
A ground fault induces an output from the sense transformer
which is amplified and causes the SCR to trigger. The SCR
then activates the circuit breaker to disconnect the load circuit.
Sense
Drive
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1-8
Hot
Neutral
Line
LM1851
Sense
60 Hz
1. Ground fault
2. More current in hot wire
3. 60 Hz signal at sense winding
4. SCR fires
5. Circuit breaker trips
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1-9
L
O
A
D
Hot
Neutral
An unwanted low resistance path from ground to neutral
at the load end can prevent the GFCI from working since
the currents are no longer unbalanced.
There is no net flux and no
output at the sense winding.
Unwanted ground to neutral path
As we will see, a second drive coil is used to detect this fault.
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1-10
Hot
Neutral
Panel
side
Load
side
LM1851
The bridge injects a 120 Hz signal into the drive coil. When there is
an unwanted low-resistance path from the neutral wire to the ground
wire at the load side, current flows in the neutral via the normal
connection at the service panel. This current does not flow in the hot
wire and the imbalance trips the breaker.
Bridge rectifier
Sense
Drive
Unwanted
120 Hz
Normal
120 Hz
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1-11
Hot
Neutral
Amplifier
Class A GFCIs trip at 5 mA. This sensitivity is achieved by
amplifying the output of the sense coil. The sensitivity is
such that nuisance tripping can be experienced with exterior
outlets during a rain storm. Check the gaskets when this
happens.
Moisture
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1-12
Hot
Neutral
Amplifier
The common mode rejection of the amplifier helps prevent
false tripping. However, large signals can exceed the
amplifiers common-mode limits. Lightning strikes often
trip GFCIs.
A direct hit is not required to trip a GFCI since the wires act
as antennas. Also, strong radio signals can cause tripping.
The common-mode rejection usually decreases as frequency
goes higher.