North Carolina Home Inspector Practice Exam

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Prepare for the North Carolina Home Inspector Exam! Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each providing hints and detailed explanations. Pass your exam with confidence!

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Will a GFCI receptacle trip if it has an open neutral?

No, it will maintain power
Yes, it should trip itself
Depends on the installation
Yes, but only if grounded

The correct answer is: Yes, it should trip itself

A GFCI receptacle is designed to protect against ground faults by monitoring the difference in current between the hot and neutral wires. If there is an open neutral, the GFCI will detect that it cannot evaluate the current balance correctly because the neutral path is interrupted. In such a case, the device will treat this as a fault condition and will trip in order to prevent potential shock hazards and ensure safety. This tripping action is a critical safety feature that ensures the circuit is de-energized, eliminating the risk of electric shock from an ungrounded or improperly functioning circuit. Understanding this functionality is important in recognizing that the GFCI serves as a crucial security mechanism in any electrical installation, particularly in areas where water and electricity may come into contact. The options suggesting that it would maintain power, depend on installation, or trip only if grounded do not recognize the intrinsic safety design of GFCI devices, which are built to respond to current imbalances and fault conditions.