A GFCI outlet, which is short for ground fault circuit interrupter, is a safety device that is critical to protecting your family. It is an outlet that has small buttons in place to protect your family from electrical shock and other electrical risks when the outlet is near water.
It is important to understand how these outlets work in a home, why they are beneficial, and where you should place them in your living area. In this guide, we will examine exactly what this type of outlet is for and why having them in your home is essential.
How GFCI Outlets Work
These outlets have safety in mind when it comes to design, which means that there is an automatic shut-off in place that occurs when a ground fault detection happens. This means that the unit will stop all electric current coming from the outlet so that hazards don’t occur.
Basically, a GFCI outlet connects hot and neutral wires while monitoring the flow of electricity between the two. When there is a sudden spike or drop in the electric usage, the outlet shuts off so that the imbalance doesn’t shock the person using the outlet. In extreme cases, the electric imbalance can even cause a fire to start in your home. According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), more than 6% of all home fires are electrical fires.
These outlets have two small buttons on the cover. One is a test button that allows you to make sure the outlet is functioning as it should be. The second is a reset button that allows you to restart the outlet after the emergency shut-off occurs. This provides the outlet with power again. One thing to note about these outlets is that they don’t actually run on the circuit breaker, so if you blow a fuse, it will not affect these outlets.
Types of GFCI Outlets
There are two types of GFCI outlets that you can consider for your home. The first, which is the most common type, is a receptacle GFCI outlet. It looks like a traditional outlet, but it is not connected to the other outlets. A circuit breaker GFCI protects all of the outlets on the circuit instead of just the one. This is more expensive, but it makes more sense if you need multiple outlets. There is also a temporary option that electricians use when first wiring your home.
Where to Put GFCI Outlets in Homes
According to the National Electric Code (NEC), all outlets that are within 6 feet of a sink or other source of water need to be GFCI outlets. This means that most homes have multiple areas where these outlets should be in place. These locations include:
- Bathrooms: All 15-amp to 20-amp outlets with 125 volts
- Kitchens: All outlets within 6 feet of a sink as well as the dishwasher
- Garages: All 15-amp to 20-amp outlets with 125 volts
- Basements: All unfinished basements as well as finished basement bathrooms and bars
- Laundry room: All 15-amp to 20-amp outlets with 125 volts
- Water heaters: All outlets within 6 feet of the water heater
- Outdoor kitchen: All outlets within 6 feet of a sink
- Outdoor patio: All outdoor outlets required to use GFCI outlets and be less than 6.5 feet high
- Crawl spaces: All outlets in this space required to be GFCI
- Boat and pool houses: All outlets with 125 volts or more
5 Benefits of GFCI Outlets
Now that you know more about a GFCI outlet, it is time to start looking at the benefits that you will experience by having them in your home. As a homeowner, you will be happy that the benefits all have to do with protecting your family and saving you some money. Let’s take a closer look at five benefits.
1. Prevents Electrical Fires
One of the main benefits of having GFCI outlets in your home is that they reduce the threat of an electrical fire. A power surge in your home, especially if the wires behind the walls have damage, can be how an electrical fire starts. Lightning strikes can lead to this type of fire, but this type of outlet can prevent leakage from power surges and interrupt the circuit so that the sparks never ignite.
2. Reduces the Chance of Shocks
A regular, non-GFCI outlet doesn’t regulate the current of electricity that flows through it, so the chance of feeling a shock is higher. If the device you are using has damage or there is wire damage somewhere behind the outlet, the outlet will sense the imbalance and shut off the flow of energy.
3. Helps You Stay Up to Code
These electric codes keep your family safe, and staying up to code requires that all new homes have these types of outlets. If you are selling the home that you live in, then most likely, the new homeowners will expect this type of outlet to be in the home.
4. Prevents Damage to Devices
When extra electric power goes through an outlet, there is a chance that it can damage the device that requires the electricity. That said, when a GFCI outlet shuts off the power because it notices a leak or an imbalance, the device no longer gets that electrical surge, which means the surge won’t affect the lifespan of the device/appliance.
5. Lowers Energy Bills
Most importantly, for some, installing these outlets can save you money on your energy bills. Old, outdated outlets drain energy even when they aren’t in use. Upgrading can make the outlets more efficient, so you use less energy. In addition, since these outlets prevent fires and electrical damage, you will save money because these issues will not be a concern.
Upgrading Your Home With GFCI Outlets
When you realize how important it is to have the protection of GFCI outlets in your home, you will want to make sure you have an electrician from Accurate Home Services install them for you. This ensures that the installation is properly done, so there is no concern for your family’s safety. Don’t attempt to install these outlets yourself; our team of electricians knows the potential safety hazards and how to deal with them.
We have the tools to complete the upgrade quickly and the experience to make sure that mistakes are not made during installation. We also have knowledge of the local electric codes to make sure that everything is up to code with local building regulations.
Contact a Professional Electrician
At Accurate Home Services, we know that electrical safety in your home is important. We are a family-owned company that has been serving Crandall and Kaufman residents with our variety of electrical repair and installation services for almost 30 years. You are our neighbors, and we commit to making sure our work is satisfactory.
If you need any electrical services that we provide, contact us today to schedule an appointment.
