A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is an electrical device that detects the current imbalance between two conductors in order to detect faults on either side of the line. This allows for protection against shock hazards associated with electric power lines.

The history of GFCI's goes back to the early 1900s when they were used as a safety measure to protect people from electrocution. The first GFCI was invented by John F. Allen, Jr., who filed his patent application on January 30, 1911. It took until the 1930s before GFCIs became common place. In 1938, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission mandated that all new residential outlets have GFCI capability.

In the 1970s, GFCIs began being installed in commercial applications such as hotels, restaurants, schools, hospitals, etc. By the 1980s, GFCIs had become standard equipment in most homes. Today, almost every home has some sort of GFCI outlet.

When you plug something into your wall socket, it creates a small amount of electricity which travels through the wires inside the wall. If there is any problem with the wiring or if there are loose connections, this can cause an electrical short and allow electricity to travel along another path. This could be dangerous because it could result in an electrical shock.

When a GFCI senses a difference in voltage, it trips and shuts off the flow of electricity. This prevents the possibility of an electrical shock.

• All bathrooms

• Basements

• Bathtubs

• Bedrooms

• Crawlspaces

• Garages

• Kitchens

• Laundry rooms

• Living areas

• Outdoor areas

• Patios

• Porches

• Pool areas

• Rooftops

GFCI's are important because they help prevent electrical shocks. When someone touches an electrified object, they receive an electrical charge. This electrical charge moves through their body and causes them to feel pain.

If the person doesn't touch anything else, then the electrical charge will stop moving through their body. However, if the person touches a grounded metal surface, the electrical charge will move through the metal instead of the person.

This is how GFCIs work. They sense the difference between the ground wire and the neutral wire and shut off the power.

What happens if my GFCI fails?

If your GFCI fails, then you need to turn off the circuit breaker for that area. Then call a licensed electrician to come out and repair the problem.

How do I reset a GFCI receptacle?


There are two buttons on a GFCI receptacle one is a test button which is to test the GFCI and the other is a reset button. To reset just push in the reset button