Safety outlets are among the easiest methods to ensure that your family members and your home are safe from an electrical disaster. Electricity follows the path with the least resistance, which could result in a small surge with a tiny amount of water could turn into an incredibly fatal event. Installing more modern GFI outlets will turn the potential for serious injury into a cautionary tale.
Thanks to advancements in the electrical code, more houses are required to install safety outlets to prevent electrical surges once grounded. The safety outlets are referred to as Ground Fault Interrupters or GFIs for short. They can stop electrical surges that are due to internal malfunctions or malfunctions of equipment externally. They are required in garages, bathrooms, kitchens, spas, and other locations. In essence, in any area of the home where water is likely to be in the vicinity, a GFI will have to be installed by an electrician who is licensed to ensure safety.
GFI outlets can detect when current is not flowing in the circuit it is intended to flow through. If a spike or an improper current is recognized, the outlet will turn off the power immediately. For instance, in the case where a person uses an instrument or device that is connected to an emergency circuit, and it somehow triggers a surge, instead of getting electrocuted, the outlet will cut off energy. In many instances, this small change could save the life of a person.
Electrical outlets that are normal and GFI safety outlets look a bit different from one another. The GFI outlets come with two small buttons on their front. One button is for reset, and the second one is for testing. It is possible to check whether your GFI is working properly by connecting a device to it and then pressing the test button. The power should stop immediately. The latest button resets the power supply to the outlet after the test or after it was interrupted due to the outlet experiencing a surge. Modern GFI outlets are equipped with a tiny light that glows green when the outlet is powered.
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 shut off by pressing the test button without the expertise of the homeowners. Additionally, the sockets may be unable to function or get faulty with time. Although these are not major issues, it is something you must be alert for.
Making sure your home is equipped with GFIs in areas that are critical is vital. Our expert electricians are ready to check your kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, bathrooms, and much more.
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