GFCI stands for ground fault circuit interrupter. These outlets are installed in areas that have electrical outlets prone to water exposure such as the kitchen, the laundry room, the bathroom, and the outdoors. Here are some of the reasons to enlist electrical services to install GFCI outlets in your home.
GFCI outlets prevent electrocution
One of the main reasons to get GFCI outlets in your home is to decrease the risk of electric shock to all residents of the premises. The GFCI outlet comes in an in-built sensor that monitors both the inflow as well as the outflow of electricity from appliances that have been plugged into the power outlet. In the event that your appliance has a live wire that comes into contact with any metallic components of the appliance, you receive an electric shock. If you have a GFCI outlet installed in the power source, it will take note of the change in the flow of electricity that is being caused by the loose wire. The GFCI outlet will then switch off the power supply, thus preventing incidences of electrocution when using faulty appliances.
GFCI outlets prevent electric fires
Another reason to invest in GFCI outlets for your power sources is to decrease the chances of electric fires in your home. GFCI outlets function to detect any ground faults that may be in your home. Typically, these ground faults happen as the electric current is leaving a circuit. If undetected, it can easily start an electrical fire in your home's wiring. Generally, some homes may have electrical fuses that will work to prevent this. However, they are not as dependable as GFCI outlets as these will detect the ground fault from the source. As such, it is recommended to have GFCI outlets installed, whether or not you already have electrical fuses in place.
GFCI outlets prevent electrical damage to appliances
Although appliances come with insulated wiring, frequent use eventually leads to this insulation deteriorating. The less insulation an appliance has, the higher the chances of electrical currents leaking out of their wiring. This is especially hazardous if the appliance has a metal body, as the metal will conduct that electricity. A common symptom of this is burnt or melted appliance plugs. To prevent this, it is best to install GFCI outlets. Once the GFCI outlets detect that an appliance is leaking electricity currents, it automatically cuts off the supply of electricity from the circuit. This not only prevents further damage to your appliance, but also gives you the chance to fix the insulation before it becomes exacerbated.
For more information, talk to an electrical service.
Share24 March 2016
If you are working on a big project for your home, your business or an investment property, you may need to do some electrical work or hire an electrician during that process. If so, I want to help you with my blog full of tips and ideas. Hi, my name is Katie, and I was briefly an electrician before I left to start a design company. However, I still harbour an interest in electrical work, and because of that, I was inspired to create this blog. If you have questions about electricity, please explore my blog posts. If they help you, share them with your friends. Thank you!
