What Is the Difference between a GFCI Receptacle & a GFI Outlet?

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GFCIs, or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters, are electrical devices with a built-in breaker that is designed to reduce the risk of electrical shock while operating your appliances. Ground fault interrupters are commonly found in areas where there is moisture present, such as a bathroom or kitchen.

GFCI protection is required by the National Electric Code for most appliances that also include:

• Garages
• Crawl spaces
• Unfinished basements
• Laundry or utility sinks
• Underwater pool lighting

Additionally, GFCI outlets offer portable protection for electrically powered garden equipment and tools such as mowers, hedge trimmers, drills, saws and sanders. A GFI outlet can either be installed within your electrical appliance or built into a power cord to reduce risk of electrocution or an electrical fire.

GFCI outlets have three different forms designed to be placed in various locations for complete protection of appliances. A ground fault interrupter can either be a receptacle, a circuit breaker, or a portable system. Each type of outlet provides varying levels of electric shock prevention depending on the placement.

A GFCI receptacle is the most common type of unit that is used to protect an individual outlet from electric shock. The main components of a GFI receptacle consist of a test button and a reset button that is inserted into the faceplate. When the GFI receptacle has tripped after a ground fault occurs, these buttons are used to self-test the outlet and reset the system to ensure that it is working properly. GFI receptacle outlets are most commonly placed in wet or damp areas where there is a greater need for detection of ground faults.

Circuit breaker devices are designed to provide GFI protection to an entire circuit rather than a single outlet. Circuit breaker GFCIs are typically installed inside an electrical service panel that monitors the current flowing through the circuit, and are convenient in areas where it could be a challenge to place individual receptacles.

Portable GFCIs are devices that can be plugged into a single electrical outlet in areas without built in ground fault protection. Portable GFIs come in the form of singular devices, extension cord attachments or power strips for ease of use with different appliances.

The main responsibility of a GFCI circuit breaker is to detect ground faults within the area. A ground fault occurs when an electric current flows through an unplanned path, rapidly increasing the flow of charge to the location. Ground faults reduce the level of electrical safety of the appliance if left unattended.

A GFCI breaker uses current imbalance monitoring to measure the incoming and outgoing current between a neutral wire, and a hot wire within a single circuit. If the system is safe and working properly, the current flow should be balanced between the wiring.

If a ground fault is detected within the GFCI circuit breaker, an internal trip mechanism will be activated to simultaneously cut off the power supply to all the outlets protected by the system. This will prevent the current from flowing through the circuit and eliminates the risk of electric shocks and fires. GFI circuit breakers will require manual reset at the main service panel after the detection of a ground fault. A GFCI circuit breaker can provide protection to multiple outlets within an entire circuit.

Receptacles provide protection to an individual outlet and can be wired for single or multiple locations depending on GFCI requirements. GFCI outlet receptacles with wiring for a single location will only provide protection to one outlet and features a red reset button that makes resetting the device more convenient for the user.

GFI receptacles with multiple location wiring uses "downstream" directional system to protect the first outlet and every outlet that follows. GFCI outlet receptacles are best suited for large appliances to avoid circuit breaker overload. GFCI breakers make the most sense when all outlets on a single circuit require GFCI protection.

GFCI outlets enhance safety measures in homes and businesses by rapidly detecting ground faults and interrupting the electric circuit breaker to prevent electric shocks. GFCI receptacles are designed to respond to ground faults within milliseconds in order to eliminate the exposure of hazardous electrical currents to the human body.

GFCI outlets are designed to trip if a ground fault occurs but can also be activated by other occurrences such as having moisture in the receptacle box, an overloaded circuit breaker, or an electrical fault. Although it is recommended that a certified electrician investigates these circumstances, there are a few ways to self-identify the potential issue regarding your GFCI.

If you notice an issue with your GFCI breaker, you first need to ensure that the circuit is receiving power. A GFCI outlet will require the entire circuit to be receiving power in order to work.

In cases where the GFCI outlet has tripped due to a ground fault, the system will automatically revert back to an "off" position. To reset a GFI receptacle, you will need to press the "reset" button on the outlet cover. GFI circuit breakers will need to be reset at the main service panel.

GFCI receptacles conveniently house a "Test" button that allows you to simulate the system's function when met with a ground fault. Testing your GFCI outlet can help you determine if it may need additional maintenance.

A GFCI circuit breaker is a more complex system that usually costs around $40 or $50 dollars in comparison to a simpler GFI receptacle that costs around $7 to $25 per unit. It is important to factor the number of outlets needed in order to determine overall cost.

The overall cost of your GFCI circuit breaker will also be determined by the cost of installation by a professional electrician. Installation services can cost between $50 to $200 depending on level of expertise and number of GFCI outlets that need to be installed. It can cost around $210 for a standard GFCI outlet installation while outdoor GFCI breaker installations can cost around $300 to $1400.

Consult with your local certified electrician to find the most cost-effective form of ground fault protection for your desired applications.