GFCI Outlet
A ground-fault circuit interrupter outlet that shuts off power instantly when it detects a current leak, preventing electrocution near water.
A GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) outlet monitors the difference in current between the hot and neutral conductors. If it detects as little as 5 milliamps of leakage—indicating current is finding an unintended path, possibly through a person—it trips and shuts off the circuit within 1/40th of a second, far faster than a standard breaker can protect against electrocution.
Current building codes require GFCI protection in all bathrooms, kitchens (within 6 feet of a sink), garages, outdoor outlets, unfinished basements, crawl spaces, and near swimming pools and hot tubs. Older homes built before these requirements were adopted often lack GFCI protection and should be upgraded, especially before a home sale.
GFCI outlets cost $15–$40 each and can be installed by a confident DIYer, though an electrician should handle any work involving the panel or new circuits. One GFCI outlet can protect additional standard outlets downstream on the same circuit if wired correctly.
Real-World Example
During the bathroom remodel, the electrician installed two GFCI outlets near the vanity to meet current code requirements and protect against shock from hair dryers.