GFCI OUTLETS

How important are GFCI outlets in your home?

GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets are electrical outlets with extra safety features designed to protect people from electrocution. They’re installed in areas prone to contact with water, such as bathrooms, kitchens, garages, and basements. These specialized outlets can sense when there’s a current imbalance between the hot and neutral wires in an appliance or other device plugged into it. If a fault is detected, the GFCI outlet immediately trips and cuts off power to the device. This prevents electricity from flowing through anything that might be connected to it, such as someone touching it with wet hands.