Saving Your Pup From Electric Shock

Crossfire Bulldogs · 12-13-2004, 01:09 PM

Many times over the years I've heard of the death of someone's pup from chewing on an electrical cord.

There is a solution, in most cases, to this that is quite inexpensive and in many cases can be done by the dog's owner.

You do not need a degree in electrical engineering ( as I do not ), but some mechanical ability may prove helpful. There is an item on the market called a "GFI" or "GFCI" plug or circuit breaker. The initials stand for Ground Fault Current Interrupter. The purpose of the device is that when a "short circuit" occurs, such as a puppy chewing a cord or two, the power is turned off in milliseconds, thus eliminating the shock.

All wall or floor plug wiring begins at the fuse box or cicuit breaker box. The wires go from this starting point to a plug, on to another plug, and so forth. If a "GFI" plug is inserted near the beginning of this plug circuit, then all plugs on that circuit, beyond where the GFI is inserted, are also protected.

To make this change - Turn OFF The Power At The Fuse Box. Remove the existing wall plug in the system you have chosen and replace with a GFI. Follow the instructions contained with the GFI plug. Another approach is to replace the existing circuit breaker with a GFCI circuit breaker of the same aperage. If you feel uncomfortable about disconnecting the main service and replacing the breaker yourself, you may want to call a licensed electrician.

A GFI plug will cost about $10-$20, and a GFCI circuit breaker will run about $25-$40. It isn't my desire to attempt to write an electrical treatise, however, it is my desire to stop this type of terrible accident from happening. While the cost of the above may seem high, consider the cost as well as the heartbreak of losing your pup. Hopefully this will help save the lives of a few of our furry little friends.

kjm · 12-13-2004, 01:23 PM

Thanks, Crossfire, that's a great post. Very good idea. I'll just add though, that while the GFI breakers on the market are a great product, they can be unreliable. There are hundreds of things that can cause them to not "trip" when their supposed to. If anyone does install one of these GFIs, make sure that it's the newest model available and check it often to make sure the tripping device is still working.

On my job, occasionally, I have to go out to inspect our lease areas where the buildings are required to have GFI protection installed. It's a frustrating and constant job for some lessees to keep up with making sure their GFI systems are still in place. Hopefully, one day technology will create one that is 100% reliable.

Crossfire Bulldogs · 12-13-2004, 01:28 PM

Thanks KJM, that was one of the things that I forgot to add, I check mine every three months and I'm always watching for a new model.

While they aren't 100% I still feel that having something in place is better than nothing at all.

kjm · 12-13-2004, 01:32 PM

Oh yeah, definitely. I don't mean to sound like they aren't a godsend, because they are. They have proven themselves to save thousands of lives. I'm most definitely a proponent of our buddy Mr. GFI. LOL

smkie · 01-26-2005, 01:44 PM

Thank u so much for that post, I didn't know that. I coated all our cords with bitter apple paste because Victor seemed to seek them out. Parents should know this as well.

Crossfire Bulldogs · 02-05-2006, 02:54 PM

Just bumping this post back to the top for those that may not have seen it.

kazkirkpatrick · 02-05-2006, 03:07 PM

My hubby is an electrical engineer and he has lots of fun updating all the outlets in our house!

cgratti · 02-05-2006, 08:51 PM

Great topic.. For those of you who may not know what a GFI is I attached a picture of it. You have all prpbably seen it before but just didn't know the name..

THIS IS A GFI OUTLET.

12-13-2004, 01:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
Crossfire Bulldogs Sourmug Mom Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Snuggled Between The Snorts & Snores. Posts: 7,844 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 284	Saving Your Pup From Electric Shock Many times over the years I've heard of the death of someone's pup from chewing on an electrical cord. There is a solution, in most cases, to this that is quite inexpensive and in many cases can be done by the dog's owner. You do not need a degree in electrical engineering ( as I do not ), but some mechanical ability may prove helpful. There is an item on the market called a "GFI" or "GFCI" plug or circuit breaker. The initials stand for Ground Fault Current Interrupter. The purpose of the device is that when a "short circuit" occurs, such as a puppy chewing a cord or two, the power is turned off in milliseconds, thus eliminating the shock. All wall or floor plug wiring begins at the fuse box or cicuit breaker box. The wires go from this starting point to a plug, on to another plug, and so forth. If a "GFI" plug is inserted near the beginning of this plug circuit, then all plugs on that circuit, beyond where the GFI is inserted, are also protected. To make this change - Turn OFF The Power At The Fuse Box. Remove the existing wall plug in the system you have chosen and replace with a GFI. Follow the instructions contained with the GFI plug. Another approach is to replace the existing circuit breaker with a GFCI circuit breaker of the same aperage. If you feel uncomfortable about disconnecting the main service and replacing the breaker yourself, you may want to call a licensed electrician. A GFI plug will cost about $10-$20, and a GFCI circuit breaker will run about $25-$40. It isn't my desire to attempt to write an electrical treatise, however, it is my desire to stop this type of terrible accident from happening. While the cost of the above may seem high, consider the cost as well as the heartbreak of losing your pup. Hopefully this will help save the lives of a few of our furry little friends.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief. ~ Gerry Spence As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

12-13-2004, 01:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
kjm Schnauzer Slave Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 533 Rep Power: 91	Thanks, Crossfire, that's a great post. Very good idea. I'll just add though, that while the GFI breakers on the market are a great product, they can be unreliable. There are hundreds of things that can cause them to not "trip" when their supposed to. If anyone does install one of these GFIs, make sure that it's the newest model available and check it often to make sure the tripping device is still working. On my job, occasionally, I have to go out to inspect our lease areas where the buildings are required to have GFI protection installed. It's a frustrating and constant job for some lessees to keep up with making sure their GFI systems are still in place. Hopefully, one day technology will create one that is 100% reliable.
	__________________ The Schnauzer Squad (just the two of us!): Karli and Boone "He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."

12-13-2004, 01:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
Crossfire Bulldogs Sourmug Mom Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Snuggled Between The Snorts & Snores. Posts: 7,844 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 284	Thanks KJM, that was one of the things that I forgot to add, I check mine every three months and I'm always watching for a new model. While they aren't 100% I still feel that having something in place is better than nothing at all.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief. ~ Gerry Spence As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

12-13-2004, 01:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
kjm Schnauzer Slave Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 533 Rep Power: 91	Oh yeah, definitely. I don't mean to sound like they aren't a godsend, because they are. They have proven themselves to save thousands of lives. I'm most definitely a proponent of our buddy Mr. GFI. LOL
	__________________ The Schnauzer Squad (just the two of us!): Karli and Boone "He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."

02-05-2006, 02:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
Crossfire Bulldogs Sourmug Mom Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Snuggled Between The Snorts & Snores. Posts: 7,844 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 284	Just bumping this post back to the top for those that may not have seen it.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief. ~ Gerry Spence As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

01-26-2005, 01:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
smkie Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kansas city Posts: 84 Rep Power: 74	Thank u so much for that post, I didn't know that. I coated all our cords with bitter apple paste because Victor seemed to seek them out. Parents should know this as well.

02-05-2006, 03:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
kazkirkpatrick Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 464 Rep Power: 93	My hubby is an electrical engineer and he has lots of fun updating all the outlets in our house!
	__________________

02-05-2006, 08:51 PM	#8 (permalink)
cgratti Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 15 Rep Power: 0	Great topic.. For those of you who may not know what a GFI is I attached a picture of it. You have all prpbably seen it before but just didn't know the name.. THIS IS A GFI OUTLET.
cgratti Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 15 Rep Power: 0

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