From: "Eunoia Eigensinn" 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house  ott.general
Subject: Re: Lifetime of an outdoor GFCI
Date: 1 Dec 2004 22:53:59 -0800
   posting-account=2_2ztg0AAACc0z-9Eb5YoJw6DoOKkriY


Doug Miller wrote:
> In article <1101942810.751256.316640@c13g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>,
"Eunoia Eigensinn"  wrote:
> >
> >Mikhael47 wrote:
> >[snip]
> >>I also have a breaker on this circuit.  I may just
> >> swap it out for a GFCI breaker instead.
> >>
> >> Mike
> >
> >Mike;
> >
> >That may not be a good idea.
> >
> >I have GFI breakers at the panel for all of my outdoor circuits and
> >interior circuits like those to bathroom & kitchen outlets.
> >
> >But I also have GFI outlet receptacles installed.
>
> A pointless waste of time and money, as those circuits _already_have_
ground
> fault protection from the GFI breakers. What do you suppose the GFI
> receptacles provide, that the GFI breakers do not?
> >
> >The GFI breakers protect the wiring but will not do much to prevent
> >someone from being electrocuted at the point of use.
>
> Half right, anyway: GFI breakers do protect the wiring. But they also
provide
> ground-fault protection against electrocution.
>
> Think about it for just two seconds: you described accurately the
behavior of
> a *standard* (non-GFI) breaker. Now how might a GFI breaker behave
> differently?
>
> Hint: what do the letters GFI stand for?
> >
> >Do some Googling on the subject and you should find an authoritative
> >explanation.
> >
> You seem to be in need of one yourself...


Actually, you would benefit from your own advice: Think about it.

For instance, it's not unreasonable for an outdoor receptacle point of
use to be 100 ft from the breaker panel.
I'll leave you to take it from there.