Electrical shock—the term in itself can send a chill down our spine. Most of us, one time or the other, have experienced an electrical shock—be it while playing with a live wire or while fixing our computer or maybe even fixing other electrical appliances. Most of us have been lucky because we have only experienced the electrical shock and got away without getting electrocuted.
GFCIs prevent electrical shocks
A GFCI, or a ground fault circuit interrupter, is a safety device that addresses the issue of electrical shock hazards in our homes. It is an inexpensive electrical device that, if installed, can prevent a good chunk of the three hundred electrocutions still occurring each year in our homes! Not only can that, installing a GFCI also prevent thousands of burn and electric shock injuries every year.
GFCIs increase home safety and security
GFCIs are designed to protect people from severe or fatal electric shocks because GFCIs detect ground faults and sometimes even prevent some electrical fires and reduce the severity of others by interrupting the flow of electric current. How is this possible?
GFCIs can protect us from getting electrocuted
Well, GFCIs work by constantly monitoring electricity flowing in a circuit to sense any of loss of current. If the current flowing through electrical circuit differs even by a small amount, GFCIs can, at the blink of an eye, switch off the power to that particular electrical circuit. GFCIs cannot protect from a painful electrical shock but they surely can protect us from getting electrocuted or receiving a serious electrical shock injury.
Choose an appropriate GFCI
There are several types of GFCIs that are available in the market:
- Receptacle type: These type of GFCIs are used in place of the standard duplex receptacles that can be found throughout a house. They generally fit into the standard outlet box and protect you against "ground faults' whenever an electrical product is plugged into the outlet.
- Circuit breaker type: These type of GFCIs are meant for homes that are equipped with circuit breakers rather than fuses. Such GFCIs are installed in a panel box to give protection to selected circuits. Circuit breaker GFCIs serve two purposes—not only they shut off electricity in the even of a "ground-fault", but they will also trip when a short circuit or an over-load occurs.
- Portable type: These are used where permanent GFCIs are not practical. These are generally plugged into a receptacle and then an electrical appliance/gadget is plugged into the GFCI. Another type of portable GFCI are extension chords with a built-in GFCIs. Such GFCIs add flexibility in using receptacles that are not protected by GFCIs.
GFCIs can save the lives of young children
GFCIs are essential for complete home safety and security. Remember, home security systems or other home security devices do not protect you or your home from electrical shocks. Electrical shocks are something that should not be ignored. They can prove to be extremely fatal. If you have kids or young children in your home it is imperative that you have a GFCI installed in your house. Even though they are not expensive but they still can be life savers.
