GFCI Outlets

In order to prevent accidents, GFCI outlets should be installed in locations such as kitchen, bathroom, garage, laundry room, basement, attic, crawl space, balcony, deck, porch, shed, or any area where electrical wiring may come into contact with water. GFCI outlets provide protection against electrical shocks by detecting imbalances in current. When an overload occurs, the GFCI shuts down the power supply to the outlet.

If your GFCIs fail to work properly, check to see if the reset button is working correctly. Resetting the GFCI should not cause any damage to the device. If the problem persists, contact a professional who specializes in troubleshooting GFCI circuits.

Click here if your GFCI outlets fail any part of this test.

GFCIs (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters) have been mandatory in homes since 1971, but today there are many other locations in your home where GFCIs are necessary, especially in areas where there is an increase in the risk of electric shock because of potential exposure to risk factors such a water.

Required by law in:

In order to avoid tripping your GFCI outlet, do not plug any appliance directly into an electrical socket. Use only the GFCI outlet provided for each device; otherwise, you may cause damage to your home’s wiring system. Also, if you plan to run multiple cords through one wall outlet, make sure they are separated by at least four feet (1.2 m) so that no two cords share a single circuit. Finally, keep in mind that GFCI outlets are designed to protect against electrical shock hazards, not fire hazards.

Older homes lack GFCI protection because they were built before the modern era of home safety. While GFCIs can cost hundreds of dollars, they’re worth every penny if you ever experience an electric fire. To avoid such an event, call Graff’s Electric today at (215) 974-0720 or fill out our online service request form to get your GFCI installed immediately.