Hi,
There are GFI outlets and there are GFI breakers.
I happen not to like the way GFi outlets look and GFI breakers are sometimes just too far away (4 flights of stairs). Is there an in- between solution to GFI protect the circuit? For example, it would be nice if the GFI device could go under the vanity?
Many thanks in advance.
Aaron
Most GFI outlets can protect all other outlets 'downstream' of them, on that circuit.
So; either go back to a preceding outlet that is not too visible (although you need to get at quickly to reset if it operates).
Or alternatively intercept the wiring before the outlets you wish to protect and add an extra outlet there. Digging around and finding the wiring and figuring out the details might take hour or two though.
Personally see nothing wrong with a neat and tidy GFI located where it's easy to see and reach. Too many outlets are behind furniture etc. And, since we use electrcity for so many purposes these days why hide the functional part so it? Electricity is a willing servant and nothing to be ashamed off!
BTW I had one older (black) duplex GFI that was not arranged to protect outlets downstream. Not wishing to waste it I put it on the end of one of our substantial extension cords. Thus can plug that cord in anywhere in the house, poke the GFI end outside through a window etc. and have GFI protection for using electric tools outside in possibly damp conditions for garden tools, or while working on a vehicle etc. More modern GFIs can downstream and if that older one packs up will just replace it.
You can get GFCI extension cords. Will that solve your problem?
It's a bit of work, but perfectly fine to install the gfci under the vanity protecting a standard receptacle above the vanity. I'm not sure what you dislike about the gfci receptacle, but newer models are available in solid colors, unlike some of the older models with odd colored test and reset buttons
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Many years ago, before GFCI extension cords were readily available, I put a GFCI receptacle in an exterior box and attached it to the end of a 3 foot piece of exterior extension cord. I still take it with me whenever I have to use power tools outside. Back then, you could never be sure that a GFCI would be available in a garage or next to a deck...these days I don't have to pull it out too often.
re: "GFI breakers are sometimes just too far away (4 flights of stairs)"
How often are you tripping your GFCI's?
Me thinks that if you are tripping them often enough to worry about how far away the breaker is, something is amiss.
They do make a GFCI that mounts like an outlet but has no outlet. It can be mounted in a closet, under a cabinet, etc. I put one in my last house because one circuit in the kitchen didn't have a GFCI and was "required" by the buyers. It was mounted in the basement below the kitchen, actually very near the breaker box. There wasn't any room to put a GFCI breaker in the box as the breaker for that circuit was a half width breaker and the box was full.
As has been stated, GFI outlets can protect downstream loads. Another reason besides distance to the outlet is the likelihood of accidentally hitting the test button and unnecessarily interrupting service downstream.
In 8 years of home ownership, I never tripped one (except when performing a test).
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