Of all the devices that have been developed to make electricity safer, the ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) has been one of the most significant, says Rick Coons, CEO at Indiana Electric Cooperatives (IEC).
“GFCIs are one of the most effective ways to protect against electrical shock and electrocution,” explains Coons. “They constantly monitor the flow of electricity. If they detect any loss of current, they’ll immediately interrupt that flow. That’s important, because a loss of current suggests electricity is flowing incorrectly and putting whoever is nearby at risk for a serious shock.”
These devices work by measuring the flow of electricity both into and out of equipment. “The amount of flow should be identical,” adds Coons. “If it isn’t, the electrical current is using a faster path to the ground. When that happens, GFCIs will shut the power off within as little as 1/40th of a second.”
GFCIs first came into widespread use in 1968, when the electrical code required them for lighting in and around swimming pools. Soon, they were being specified in environments where electricity might come in contact with water or moisture. Although the nation’s total electricity consumption doubled over the next 25 years, the use of GFCIs is credited with cutting the number of electrocution deaths in half. That’s why you’ll find them throughout homes and in workplaces in Indiana.
The current national electrical code mandates the use of GFCIs in several areas of homes, including bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, crawlspaces, unfinished basements, and garages. Experts have said that expanded use of GFCIs could prevent more than two-thirds of electrocutions that happen in homes.
The one downside of GFCIs is that they can fail, and you can’t tell whether they’re working properly by looking at them. That’s why it’s very important to test them at least once a month, as well as after any nearby lightning strikes. Most GFCIs are easy to test. You can plug in a nightlight and press the ‘test’ button on the outlet. If the light goes out, the GFCI is working. Pressing the ‘reset’ button will turn it back on.
If your home doesn’t already have GFCIs, consider having an electrician replace some of your existing outlets with GFCI outlets. They’re generally inexpensive, and you’ll have the peace of mind that you’re protecting your family.
SOURCES: ESFI, OSHA.
