This presentation is an overview of the GFCI or the ground fault circuit interrupter. The presentation lists and describes its functions, its advantages, and its different types. If you wish to get educated on how the GFCI can best serve your home, take a look at our presentation. This presentation is part of an ongoing series of educational media created and maintained by B.K. Electric Services, to help educate the public on electrical concepts and what electricians do.

1. By B.K. Electric Services
GFCIs and You

2. First Things First
 A circuit is what allows electricity to get from Point
A to Point B.
 A ground fault is when the electricity jumps the
wire and wants to travel down to the ground in the
fastest way possible.
 Sometimes the fastest way possible involves a
person, who unfortunately, lights up like a
Christmas tree, which can hurt, maim, or kill.

3. Hey. You
awake…?
Hello?
Unconscious from being shocked. So no. Not
awake.

4. Can It Happen To You?
 Most people don’t expect to get shocked on a
daily basis since they think their homes are
fortresses.
 But there are quite a few appliances in the
kitchen, including microwaves, blenders, toasters,
and maybe a mini TV to watch your shows.
 Assume your doing your dishes and water is
splashing about. It begins to pool underneath the
mini TV. You reach over to change the channel
and….
 You’re now on your way
to the hospital.

5. So what is a GFCI?
 A GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit
Interrupter.
 They are always installed where outlets are
expected to be near water sources.
 Kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, etc.
 The National Electric Code requires that all
homes be equipped with GFCI outlets.
 Why?
 Maybe it has something to do with the fact that
over 300 people annually suffer shock from their
outlets.

6. How Do GFCIs work?
 The typical GFCI has three holes:
 the center hole is connected to the ground.
 the right slot is the neutral wire.
 the left slot is the hot wire.
 The GFCI has a built-in sensor that monitors
the flow of current on each of the wires. If there is
any sort of imbalance, the device shuts off the
electricity in about 1/30th of a second.

7. Fire Prevention
 We know that ground faults are nothing more than loose electricity trying to find the shortest
way possible to the ground. But loose electricity can burn fuses or combust other materials in
your home to create a fire that could harm you or your family.
 GFCIs prevent this by sensing for any loss of electricity and immediately shutting off the
power before any fire can develop.
GFCIs: A REAL American
Hero

8. Types of GFCIs
 The RECEPTACLE is installed wherever old and obsolete outlets used to be.
If the GFCI is the first of a “branch” of outlets, the GFCI provides
protection for all those outlets.
 The CIRCUIT BREAKER is used where homes have circuit breakers instead
of fuse boxes. This type is added to circuit breakers boxes and works
much like a fuse.
 The PORTABLE is built into extension cord devices and provides
GFCI-like protection to all devices connected to it.

9. Questions?
 Feel free to leave us your comments in the
comment section
 If you have any questions related to GFCIs, their
installation, or any other electrical queries,
contact us at:
 (310) 430 2300
 bkelectric1@gmail.com
 Or visit us at www.bkelectricservices.com