Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)

A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is a protective device that is used to prevent electrical shock. GFCIs are commonly used in areas where water or moisture is present, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor areas. A GFCI works by continuously monitoring the flow of current through an electrical circuit. If the GFCI detects that the current flowing through the circuit is not balanced between the hot and neutral wires, it will assume that there is a ground fault and will interrupt the flow of current. This prevents electrical current from flowing through the ground and potentially causing an electrical shock to a person who comes into contact with the ground. GFCIs are typically installed in electrical outlets, and they can be used to protect a single outlet or a group of outlets. GFCIs are required by code in many jurisdictions, and they are an important safety feature in any electrical system. They can be easily identified by the "test" and "reset" buttons that are found on the face of the outlet.