One of the most important safety devices in your home is a simple electrical device called a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). Estimates indicate that the installation of GFCIs have saved hundreds of lives and prevented thousands of injuries in the U.S. over the past 30 years.
GFCIs are designed to provide protection against electrical shock from ground faults, or leakage currents, which occur when the electrical current flows outside of the circuit conductors. If a person becomes part of a path for leakage current, he or she will be severely shocked or electrocuted.
If GFCIs were installed in every U.S. home, experts suggest that nearly 70 percent of the approximately 400 electrocutions that occur each year in the home could be prevented.
GFCI Tips
- Put a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) between your electric power source and your electric product.
- Test your GFCI monthly and after every major electrical storm.
- If you have a home without GFCIs, consult a qualified, licensed electrician about adding this important protection, purchase plug-in units or a portable GFCI to provide individual receptacle or load protection.
- GFCIs are products designed to prevent serious injury or death from electrical shock by detecting ground faults at very low levels.
- A GFCI should be used in any area where water may come in contact with electrical products. GFCIs are now required by code in certain areas of the home, including unfinished basements, kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, garages, crawl spaces and around swimming pools.
- If a GFCI senses minimal current leakage to ground in an electrical circuit, it assumes a ground fault has occurred. It them interrupts power fast enough to prevent serious injury from electrical shock.
- Three types of GFCIs are designed for home use-wall receptacle, circuit breaker and portable plug-in. All three are readily available, inexpensive and fairly simple to install.
Press Releasse
Quick Facts/Statistics
Related Articles/Websites
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ESFI Raises Awareness of New UL and CSA Requirements for GFCIs
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Use Electrical Safety Awareness Druing Summer Storms
GFCI Fact Sheet
GFCI Q & A
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on GFCIs
