In elementary school, we all learned about electrical safety hazards. And we all probably heard the same scenarios: radios falling into bathtubs, blow dryers dropped into sinks, holding a power tool in the rain. However, these stories have come true too many times. This is why in certain areas of the house, especially areas around water, a special outlet called a ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) are required in order to keep you safe.
What are ground fault circuit interrupters?
You’ve probably already seen them before. Simply take a look in the bathroom, behind your kitchen sink, in the basement and garage, or outside around your patio, swimming pool, or hot tub. In these areas where moisture is prevalent, you’ll see outlets that contain two color-coded buttons between the plugs. This is a GFI and it is a required safety item that immediately cuts off power when a dangerous ground fault occurs.