GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) & AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) Outlets

When it comes to electricity, there are two major hazards, electrical fires and electrical shocks. The severity of both these hazards depends on a multitude of factors. For instance, the strength of electrical shocks is influenced by the pathway through the body, the length of time of the exposure to current and the amount of current. Whether or not the skin was wet influences the severity of the electrical shock, as water is a great electricity conductor.

It is very important to take preventive steps and invest in safety devices to reduce the risk of such hazards, such as:

· Inspect the wiring of each equipment before using it.

· As much as possible, try not to use extension cords.

· Minimize water or other liquid spills near or on any electrical equipment.

· Have fuses or circuit breakers for multi-plug adapters.

· Install GFCI & AFCI outlets in your home.

The GFCI Outlet

A GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlet is an electrical outlet designed to prevent electrical shock by rapidly interrupting the circuit if it detects an imbalance in the electrical current. This type of outlet protects your home against dangerous ground faults and, according to the 2008 National Electrical Code, these should be installed outdoors (Exterior & Garage), in bathrooms, in Laundry & utility rooms, wet bars, crawlspaces, spa & pool areas, basements and wet kitchen areas. GFCI outlets also monitor the current level flowing through both the neutral and hot conductors, thus determining if the current is leaking from the circuit. If a leakage takes place and may reach a potentially dangerous level, the outlet will quickly turn the power off. You can read more about how to prevent electrical shocks here.

The AFCI Outlet

AFCI outlets are designed to protect against arc faults, which occur when there is a spark or arcing between faulty electrical wires or electrical components. AFCI outlets are able to detect these potentially hazardous arcing conditions and interrupt the circuit to prevent a fire. The AFCI can detect several types of hazardous arc faults, which may occur from damage in branch circuit extensions and wiring to appliances or cord sets. They are not found in wall receptacles like GFCIs, but instead are easily incorporated into your home or business’ main service panel in the form of specialized circuit breakers. AFCIs are required in Bedrooms, Kitchens, Laundry areas.

Contact Bryan & Bryan Inspections today by calling (866) 484-8318 or schedule a home inspection now. We also offer mold inspections, commercial inspections, stucco services, new construction inspections, and more.