A
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) is a device to protect against
electric shock should someone come in contact with a live (Hot) wire
and a path to ground which would result in a current through his/her
body.
The GFCI will trip in a fraction of a second at currents (a few mA)
well below those that are considered dangerous. Note that a GFCI is NOT
a substitute for a fuse or circuit breaker as these devices are still
required to protect equipment and property from overloads or short
circuits that can result in fire or other damage.
GFCIs can be installed in place of ordinary outlets in which case
they protect that outlet as well as any downstream from it. There are
also GFCIs that install in the main service panel |