The main purpose of a ground fault circuit interrupter is to be proactive in the event of an electrical current being sent off of its intended path. GFCI receptacles offer protection from electrical shock hazards and electrical fires. This is especially important if you are in an area that is close to water.

If for some reason, you find yourself outside using a power drill and suddenly it starts to rain, GFCI outlet will shut off the power. The last thing that you want is the electrical current to travel through the ground water and through you. GFCI outlets are meant to keep you safe!

Depending on your electrical wiring and power distribution needs, you can determine whether you should replace the breaker panel or the individual GFCI outlets, But first, you should understand the difference between the two.

GFCI Receptacles are Acceptable When:

1. There are only a few outlets that require ground fault protection
2. The outlets are too far away from the breaker panel
3. If you only need to install a few outlets and are not interested in spending a lot of money on an entire GFCI breaker.

A GFCI breaker can be built in or added to the circuit panel in your building. Unlike a normal breaker panel, a GFCI breaker panel is normally larger and has its own test and reset buttons to protect against ground faults. One of the benefits of a GFCI breaker is the full protection against ground faults. All electrical receptacles that are installed will have full ground fault circuit protection. You may be asking "how do I know if I should install a GFCI breaker?"

Here are a few reasons why you may consider doing so:

1. Most of the electrical outlets require ground fault protection
2. You want to ensure that all of the receptacles in the circuit are fully protected
3. For special uses, like heated pools, large workshops, or large outdoor patio spaces

Now that you're aware of your options when wiring your outlets, you can find the best option for you! For a cost effective alternative, try our GFCI receptacles!