It is a common misconception that circuit breakers are there to protect you. A circuit breaker is there to prevent fire created by heat from an over-current or short-circuit and protect attached equipment. The amount of current it takes to electrocute you is much, much less than what’s needed to trip a circuit breaker. Add the fact that a ground rod will never pass enough fault current to trip an over current device, allowing ground faults to lay dormant until touched, and you realize circuit breakers are not there for personal safety. Protecting personnel from electric shock requires a Class A GFCI.

A Class A GFCI is a device whose function is to provide personnel protection by de-energizing a circuit when the fault current to ground exceeds only 6 milliamps within a period of time established by a UL Standard. In this session we explore the characteristics of GFCIs, how they work, common causes for their nuisance tripping, and how to use them to ensure a safe set.

• What is a GFCI

• How GFCIs Work

• Severity of a Shock

• UL943: The GFCI Standard

• GFCI Classifications

• Regulations pertaining to GFCIs

  • Ansi

  • OSHA

  • NEC

• Residual Currents

• Film vs Hardware Store Style GFCIs

  • Trip Curve

  • Filtration

• Common Issues with GFCIs

• Troubleshooting common Issues with GFCIs

  • Earth Leakage Meters

Details

Language: English

Format: In-person, Virtual

Length: 8 hours

Trainer

Guy Holt, IATSE Local 481

Location: Boston, MA

Guy Holt is a 28-year veteran of IATSE Local 481 and author of over twenty articles for Protocol magazine on power generation, quality, and distribution in motion picture production. Guy has served as Gaffer, Rigging Gaffer, and Generator Operator on numerous film and television productions.