In 1975, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) became a standard part of the National Electric Code. GFCIs are an important and potentially lifesaving part of your home’s electrical system. The way they work is that they constantly monitor the electrical current flowing to the power outlet, and when there is an imbalance, they immediately cut the electrical flow to the outlet. Since 1971, they’ve reduced the number of electrocutions by consumer electronics by 95%!
You can recognize a typical GFCI by the “TEST” and “RESET” buttons on the face of the outlet. These aren’t just for looks. Homeowners should use these buttons regularly to make sure their GFCIs are working. The process is simple. Just plug something (like a lamp, for example) into the outlet, and press the “TEST” button. The power should stop flowing to the thing you plugged in. If it’s still on, you’ve got an issue with your GFCI.
