GFCI Outlets: What the Heck Are They?

GFCI stands for Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter. You have probably seen the outlets with TEST and RESET buttons in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, basements and exterior locations. They are not decorative buttons designed to give homeowners something else to wonder about.

What a GFCI actually does

A GFCI monitors the electrical current flowing through a circuit. If it detects a small imbalance that can indicate current is going somewhere it should not—potentially through a person—it shuts the circuit off very quickly.

That is different from the primary job of a standard circuit breaker, which protects wiring and equipment from excessive current. Both are important, but they are protecting against different hazards.

Why you see them around water

Water and electricity are a terrible combination, which is why ground-fault protection is associated with locations where people are more likely to encounter moisture. Exactly where protection is required depends on the installation and the electrical code in effect, which is one reason electrical work is best evaluated by a qualified electrician.

Use the TEST button

GFCI devices are designed to be tested using their built-in TEST and RESET controls. Follow the device manufacturer’s instructions. If a device will not test or reset properly, trips repeatedly or behaves unexpectedly, do not ignore it. Have the device and circuit evaluated.

Electrical safety is not a particularly good place for the “maybe it will fix itself” approach.