Gfi Electrical Meaning

A gfci outlet is an electrical outlet which is designed to protect people from deadly electric shock in addition to preventing electrocution gfci outlets can also reduce the risk of house fires caused by electrical problems and reduce damage to appliances caused by faulty electrical circuits these outlets use ground fault circuit interrupter gfci or gfi technology.

Gfi electrical meaning.

If the gfci trips it usually means a ground fault is caused by water a faulty appliance or broken insulation on the electrical wiring. A ground fault circuit interrupter is an electrical device installed to protect against severe electric shocks. The main purpose is to protect people from an electric shock caused when some of the current travels through a person s body due to an electrical fault such as a short circuit insulation. Because of this we need to understand what a gfci is how it works and what its limitations are we need only to look to the nec for the definition of a gfci.

It works by comparing the input current on the hot side to the output current on the neutral side. A gfci outlet may be wired in a branch circuit which means other outlets and electrical devices may share the same circuit and breaker or fuse. However any gfci protector has a limited lifespan. It will also trip when a short circuit or an electrical overload occurs.

Portable gfcis are used when there is no gfi installed nearby. It is also possible to. Generally these devices should last 10 20 years but they can fail in as little as 5 years. A gfci not to be confused with an afci integrates a ground fault protection in receptacles where electrical equipment is near water or might.

A ground fault is an instance in which the hot wire touches any area of a grounded device or even the grounded part of a junction box. The gfci circuit breaker will shut off electricity in the event of a problem. In short you were part of what s called a ground fault. If you ve ever experienced even a second of paralysis caused by electrical shock it s not a feeling you ll ever forget.

Gfci s could also reduce electrocutions and minimize electrical burns and shock injuries. A gfi or gfci ground fault circuit interrupter device protects us from receiving electric shocks from faults in the electrical devices we use in our home. For example you may want to connect your electric lawn trimmer to a gfi outlet but your garage does not.