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GFCI Outlets
A GFCI (ground fault interrupter) is an outlet or circuit breaker and is used to increase safety in areas that are prone to the risk of electric shock. They will trip when current from the GFCI line side does not return through the neutral side. The GFCI measures the current from the line, through a load, and back to the neutral. This current needs to be the same. If current from the line does not return to the neutral (i.e. goes to ground instead), the GFCI will trip (power will be turned off coming out of the GFCI). It takes a mismatch of about 5 mA of current (5 milliamps or .005 A) to trip a GFCI. Find GFCI Outlets
GFCI outlets can provide protection to standard outlets connected to the load side of the GFCI.
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GFCI/AFCI Outlets
A GFCI/AFCI outlet provides GFCI and AFCI protections for it and outlets on its load. A GFCI/AFCI circuit breaker provides both protections on its entire circuit. Find GFCI/AFCI Outlets
Testing and Resetting a GFCI or AFCI Outlet
When the test button is pushed or if the outlet trips, power is shut off to the outlets and the protected outlets. Pushing the reset button should restore power. If one of these outlets has no power going to it (the line side) then the test and reset button will not work. See Troubleshooting GFCIs and AFCIs.
GFCIs and AFCIs should be tested about once a month. If it doesn’t trip when testing (but it has power to the line side), then it will need to be replaced.
AFCI Outlets
An AFCI (arc fault interrupter) is an outlet or circuit breaker that is used to open a circuit if an abnormal arc is detected. Small arc conditions exist in a normal circuit (light switches, motor starting or stopping). An AFCI ignores these normal arcs, but will detect the abnormal ones, using advanced technology. Find AFCI Outlets
Arc faults and flashes are usually caused by loose connections and/or damaged wire, and are the greatest cause of electrical fires. They happen when anything connected to a line phase (like a line wire) is in the process of touching anything that is connected to a different line phase, neutral or ground. An arc actually happens before contact is made when the current jumps a tiny gap.
AFCI outlets can provide protection to standard outlets that are connected to the load side of the AFCI.