Introduction to GFCI and AFCI Circuit Breakers

GFCI, or ground fault circuit breakers, and AFCI breakers work like normal circuit breakers for circuit protection from overloads and short circuit faults. The GFCI breakers trip when the current passes through the ground in place of moving toward neutral. AFCI breaker gets tripped when it detects arc faults. Here we will discuss GFCI and AFCI breakers and their workings. So let’s get started with Introduction to GFCI and AFCI Circuit Breakers

What are GFCI circuit breakers?

• GFCI’s full form is ground fault circuit interrupter and is also called ground fault interrupter (GFI). They are the same components and can be used as interchangeable modules.
• The main function of GFCI is to protect from ground faults that can cause serious damage if not detected.
• The inner workings of a GFCI are to monitor current passing through hot and neutral wires. If there are minor faults, GFCI instantly cuts off the power supply from the outlet.

What is a ground fault?

• Based on the NEC code, the ground fault is the conducting connection between the electric conductor and the conducting material that is grounded or needed to ground.
• Current always follows the low-resistance path to the ground. If there is a ground fault, the current moves toward the ground; it is the path the current is not on, like in the body of a person. To avoid shock, GFCI is used for the protection of the person.

Where should GFCIs be used?

• It is referred to that GFCI is connected at a point where devices and power tools are used close to water or moisture. Tap water or wet devices have features for conducting current easily and can be connected with a body to the ground, increasing the chances of getting shocked from a ground fault.
• Devices that come with built-in GFCI protection, like hair dryers, use GFCI breaker protection.

GFCI vs. AFCI

• The ARC GFCI circuit interrupter is a safety component used at home for avoiding electric fire as the result of any fault in the wiring. If a high current flows through the wire, then its capacity can cause a fire.
• Electric wire is more damaged than other fires and twice as deadly. AFCI easily detects leaking from the power system and off the circuit before getting fired due to overheating.
• AFCI and GFCI are different; AFCI avoids fires, and GFCI controls shock.

GFCI Circuit Breaker vs. GFCI Receptacle Outlet 

• The basic difference between a GFCI circuit breaker and a GFCI receptacle outlet is their point of connection. GFCI circuit breakers are connected to the main breaker panel, and the GFCI receptacle outlet is connected to individual outlets.
• If there is a ground fault in the power system, the GFCI breaker will trip instantly and cut off power in the complete system. If a ground fault exists in an outlet protected with a GFCI receptacle, just the affected outlet will not have power, and others will work.
• Another difference is that GFCI receptacles can reset distantly with a button on the outlet. While the GFCI breaker needed to travel to the breaker box for resetting the breaker. The GFCI breaker is high cost, but it has features for the protection of many outlets and lights at the same time.

Should we use GFCI outlets or GFCI breakers?

• It is based on applications and local code demand. If there is a need to protect the complete power system as the result of a ground fault, then use GFCI.
• If there is a need for the protection of a single outlet, then using GFCI receptacles
• Based on details of NEC GFCI receptacles, they are used in wet locations, like bathrooms, kitchens, etc. For fulfilling the demand of code features, the GFCI receptacle is best to use.
• GFCI breakers provide the best protection features from ground faults. It has a feature for the protection of a complete power system with that single outlet.