Winter returns (for now)

Here we are, 20 days into the month of April, and I’m happy that my blog entries are slowly becoming a little more frequent. The sale of our contracting business is moving towards completion, and we might be able to set a date for the change of ownership by the end of this week.

If we were having any second thoughts about spending more time closer to the sun, they were erased on Friday, with the invasion of a cold front, complete with high winds, cold temperatures, lots of snow, and no sign of relief for about a week! I just got back in the office from clearing our sidewalks of heavy, wet, drifted snow (see the uploaded picture).

As a contrast, one week ago Saturday, the temperature was about 21 degrees Celsius, or 70 Fahrenheit for our American friends.

A few weeks ago, we were approached by the nice folks at Warmly Yours to see if we would consider putting an article on our website introducing our clients to their line of home comfort heating products, including tile and stone, carpet and laminate, snow melting (I could use some of that right now), towel warmers, mirror de-foggers, and area rug heaters.

After reviewing their comprehensive and informative website, at www.warmlyyours.com , we were very impressed with the products and the company, and we have posted a short but informative article on our site that you need to check out, whether you are in the market for some floor heating now, or will be in the near future. Follow this link at: http://www.electricalonline.com/wiringanelectricfloorheatingsystem.htm

Recently a client sent me this question, which I will answer for you here on this blog as a timely compliment to the subject of installing some in-floor heating products.

Question:

I have tiles floor heat in my bathroom. As per the electrical inspector, I need to install a GCFI breaker for the circuit. Currently there is a 240v double pole 15a breaker installed with two screw terminals. There are two wires connected to these, and a ground that attaches to the bond terminals in the panel. The two wires go to the line voltage thermostat for the floor heat.

When I got the new 240v GFCI double pole 15a breaker I see it has three screw terminals and a white curly wire attached. I connected the white curly wire to the neutral bar in the panel per the instructions. Then I connected the two wires that are going to my thermostat to the two screw terminals that are black and labeled Load -. There is a screw terminal in between those labeled ‘Load N’, and nothing is currently connected to that. I have power to the thermostat but when I press the test button it doesn't trip the GFCI breaker. Any thoughts?

Answer:

If you have connected the new GFCI breaker to your circuit as you have described, you connected it correctly. The load neutral is only required if the appliance or the equipment that you are feeding with the GFCI breaker requires a neutral conductor. With a 240V electric heat circuit, there is no neutral, so leaving the ‘Load N’ terminal unused is correct.
As for the breaker not tripping when you push the ‘test’ button, this can only meant that the breaker is faulty, and should be returned for replacement. GFCI devices should be checked in this manner on a monthly basis, and need to be replaced if they do not function as designed.

Until next time, work safely, and check back often!