What is a GFCI? Chances are good that you’ve seen GFCIs hundreds of times in your life. The picture below may help spark your memory – GFCIs are usually identified by the “TEST” and “RESET” buttons on the face of an electrical outlet. You probably have GFCIs in your home right now, in your bathroom and kitchen, at least.
“GFCI” stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. GFCIs work by constantly monitoring the electrical flow to an outlet. If they detect even the smallest imbalance in the current, they immediately interrupt the flow of electricity. Since the primary offender when it comes to electrical flow imbalances is when electrical devices make contact with water, most states require that GFCIs be installed on all outlets within six feet of a water source.
It’s important to make a routine out of testing your home’s GFCIs using the built-in testing feature. If your GFCIs are not working properly, it’s even more important to have a professional identify the reason why.