Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter Gfci Protection

The ground fault circuit interrupter or gfci is a fast acting circuit breaker designed to shut off electric power in the event of a ground fault within as little as 1 40 of a second.

Ground fault circuit interrupter gfci protection.

It works by comparing the amount of current going to and returning from equipment along the circuit conductors. A ground fault circuit breaker is properly called a ground fault circuit interrupter breaker or simply a gfci breaker it installs into a home s service panel or breaker box and provides gfci protection for the entire branch circuit it serves. At first it was only required for swimming pools and then expanded to outdoor and bathroom receptacle outlets. A residual current device rcd residual current circuit breaker rccb or ground fault circuit interrupter gfci is a device that quickly breaks an electrical circuit to prevent serious harm from an ongoing electric shock.

Ground fault circuit interrupters gfcis or gfis are safety devices built into outlets that protect against electrical shock. Ground fault circuit interrupters or gfcis are life saving devices found on electrical receptacles outlets circuit breakers extension cords and other electrical equipment they detect imbalances in the electrical current and quickly shut off the power to minimize the risk of shock. If a person s body starts to receive a shock the gfci senses this and cuts off the power before he she can get injured. Ground fault circuit interrupter also detects ground faults and interrupts the flow of electric current.

When a ground fault occurs the gfci quickly in a fraction of a second shuts off the power. Gfcis are generally installed where electrical circuits may accidentally come into contact with water. 2018 was the 50th anniversary of gfci protection in the national electrical code nec. Ground fault circuit interrupter protection gfci it s rather remarkable when you stop to think about it.

A grounding type receptacle if gfci protected and marked gfci protected and no equipment ground the equipment grounding conductor plays no part in the operation of a gfci so it will provide ground fault protection even on a 2 wire circuit without an equipment grounding conductor. Their circuitry monitors electrical input. A ground fault circuit interrupter gfci can help prevent electrocution.