Stay Safer Around Water With GFCI Protection

Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) are commonly installed in kitchens, bathrooms, garages and other areas where electricity may come into contact with moisture. A GFCI continuously monitors the electrical current flowing through a circuit. If it detects an imbalance that could indicate electricity is traveling along an unintended path, it quickly shuts off power to reduce the risk of electric shock.

Proper wiring is essential for the outlet to provide the intended protection. The incoming power connects to terminals marked “line,” while the “load” terminals can extend GFCI protection to additional outlets farther along the circuit. Reversing or incorrectly connecting these wires may prevent the outlet or downstream receptacles from working properly, so consider having a licensed electrician handle this for you.