Does Your Home Have GFI Safety Outlets?

Safety outlets are among the most effective ways to ensure that your family members and your home is safe from electrical disaster. Electricity follows the path with the most resistance, which could be a sign that a single surge with a small amount of water can become the death of a person. Installing new GFI outlets could turn the potential for serious injury into a cautionary tale.

GFI Safety Outlets - What Are They?

Because of the advancements in electrical codes, more houses are required to install safety outlets to prevent an electrical charge once grounded. The safety outlets are referred to as Ground Fault Interrupters or GFIs for short. They prevent electrical surges due to internal malfunctions or malfunctions of equipment externally. They are required in garages, bathrooms, kitchens, spas, pools, and other places. In general, anywhere in the home where water is likely to be in the vicinity, a GFI will have to be installed by licensed electricians to ensure safety.

How Do GFI Safety Outlets Work?

GFI outlets can detect when electricity is flowing out of the circuit it is intended to flow through. If an abnormal or a sudden surge of current is recognized, the outlet will turn off instantly. For instance, the case where a person uses an instrument or device that is connected to an emergency circuit, and it somehow triggers a surge, rather than being electrically injured, the outlet will cut off electricity. In many instances, this small change could save the life of a person.

What Do GFI Safety Outlets Look Like?

Electrical outlets that are normal and a GFI safety outlets appear different from one another. The GFI outlets are equipped with two tiny buttons at the front. One button is for reset, and the other one says test. It is possible to check that your GFI is working correctly by connecting the device and then pressing the test button. The electricity should be shut off immediately. The most recent button will restore power to the outlet after the test or after it was interrupted due to an electrical surge that has occurred on the socket. Modern GFI outlets are equipped with a tiny light that glows green when the outlet is powered.

Disadvantages of GFI Outlets

The advantages of GFI outlets far outweigh the disadvantages; however, we believe it's a good idea to make them known. The GFI outlet can be switched off with the test button without the awareness of the homeowner. Furthermore, these outlets cannot function or get faulty with time. Although these are not major issues, however, this is something you must be alert for.

Home Safety Check With Sitetech Electrical

Ensuring that your home has GFIs in the most critical areas is crucial. Our expert electricians are ready to visit and inspect your kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens, and more.