Unbelievable Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter Receptacle
A gfci not to be confused with an afci integrates a ground fault protection in receptacles where electrical equipment is near water or might be in contact with water.
Ground fault circuit interrupter receptacle. The national electric code nec and all local building codes require gfci ground fault circuit interrupter protection for many outlet receptacles throughout the house and in outdoor locations. It also detects ground faults and disrupts the flow of current but should not be used to replace a fuse as it does not offer protection against short circuits and. By brandon gibbs jan 23 2018.
In the event of a ground fault or an unintended electrical path to ground such as a shot circuit or through a person a gfci will trip within a fraction of a second and stop the flow of electricity to prevent serious injury. The gfci outlet protects electrical wiring and receptacles from overheating and possible fire greatly minimizing the risk of shock injuries and fatal burns. Now thanks largely to the proliferation of gfci technologies particularly in areas near water such as bathroom sinks or in places exposed to rain or standing water that number has dropped to around 200 deaths per year sources.
The gfci breaker can be used as a replacement for a standard circuit breaker and can be installed in an electrical panel box to protect all receptacles on a particular branch circuit. 5 reasons your ground fault circuit interrupter gfci outlets keeps tripping. 15amp gfci outlet receptacle electrical white self testing tamper resistant duplex ground fault circuit interrupter outlet included led light wall plate and screws ul listed 4 4 out of 5 stars 481 11 59 13 99.
Before the widespread adoption of gfci ground fault circuit interrupter outlets around 800 people died annually in the united states. A gfci receptacle is different from conventional receptacles. Eaton s ground fault circuit interrupter gfci receptacles are circuit interrupters designed to recognize a ground fault in your wiring and immediately break the flow of electricity thus protecting you from electrical shock.
Further they prevent resetting if once tripped the ground fault renders the device no longer functional. The requirements exist to protect users against the possibility of shock in the event of a ground fault a condition in which electrical current accidentally flows outside the established circuit. Ground fault circuit interrupters gfcis are designed for your safety.
Circuit interrupters or trips as they are commonly referred to are intended to reduce the risk of fire or electrocution. Nickel electric fish at al. A ground fault circuit interrupter is a protective device specifically designed to break the circuit every time there is an imbalance between incoming and outgoing current.