Product Brochure

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter with Self-Test (GFCI)
Provides ground fault protection
The National Electrical Code requires GFCI protection of receptacles located outdoors, in
bathrooms, garages and spa areas. This applies not only to new construction, but also to
existing homes. When an electrical outlet is replaced in a location that requires ground-fault
protection, the new outlet must be GFCI protected, according to the NEC.
The GFCI circuit interrupter provides protection against overloads, short circuits and ground faults. It detects
very low levels of electrical current leakage (ground faults), and acts quickly to shut off power, preventing
serious shock.
What is a Ground Fault?
Normally, the electrical current traveling to an electrical appliance is equal to the current traveling from that
appliance. However, an imbalance in that flow indicates a current leak — also referred to as a “ground fault,”
because the leaking current is escaping to the ground.
If the leaking current is traveling through a person, that person could be injured, burned, severely shocked or
electrocuted. For example, when a hair dryer is dropped into a sink full of water, some of the electrical current
leaks out of the appliance and into the water. This current leak could be enough to kill someone who comes
in contact with the water, but not be large enough to trip a non-ground fault circuit interrupter. (Standard
circuit breakers only guard against over-loads and short circuits. They are not designed to protect people from
electrical shocks.)
6 Residential Electronic Circuit Interrupters