CSLB C-33 Painting & DecoratingSafetyEasy
A painting crew is working on a construction site where a temporary electrical panel has been set up to power various tools, including spray painters. To minimize the risk of fire and electric shock, what is the MOST important safety feature required for this temporary electrical panel?
- ALockout/tagout capability
- BWeatherproof enclosure
- COvercurrent protection (fuses or circuit breakers)
- DGround-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection
GFCI protection is critical for temporary electrical power on construction sites to protect workers from electric shock, especially where wet conditions or damaged cords are common.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Lockout/tagout capability is for de-energizing equipment during maintenance, not for active use protection against ground faults.
- B. A weatherproof enclosure protects components from elements but not against ground faults.
- C. Overcurrent protection prevents circuit overload but doesn't directly protect against ground faults causing shock.
GFCI Protection
Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) are safety devices that detect current leakage to ground and quickly shut off power, preventing electric shock.
- Required for all 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles on construction sites.
- Protects against electrocution from faulty equipment or wet conditions.
- Monitors current flow and trips if an imbalance is detected.
Memory trick: Ground Faults Get Guarded by GFCIs.