What is a GFCI outlet?
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. It's the outlet with TEST and RESET buttons. It monitors the current going out and coming back, and if it detects even a small imbalance — about 5 milliamps — it shuts power off in a fraction of a second.
How is that different from a regular outlet?
A standard outlet has no protection built in. Your breaker only trips at 15 or 20 amps, which protects the wiring in your walls from overheating. It does nothing to stop a shock. It takes far less than an amp to stop a heart. GFCI protects the person; the breaker protects the house.
Where are GFCIs required?
Generally: bathrooms, kitchens, garages, unfinished basements, crawl spaces, laundry areas, outdoors, and anywhere near a sink or water source. Requirements have expanded with each code cycle, so newer homes have more of them than older ones. We verify against the current NC Electrical Code and your local inspection authority on every job.
My house is older and doesn't have them. Do I have to add them?
Existing wiring is usually grandfathered, but the moment we replace a receptacle in a required location, it has to come up to current code. It's also one of the least expensive safety upgrades you can make.
Why does my GFCI keep tripping?
Usually one of three things: a genuine ground fault in an appliance or fixture, moisture in an outdoor or bathroom box, or a worn-out GFCI at the end of its service life. Nuisance tripping is a symptom, not a defect — it's worth having it diagnosed rather than swapping the device and hoping.
How often should I test it?
Once a month. Push TEST — power should cut. Push RESET — power should return. If it won't trip or won't reset, it needs to be replaced.
How long do they last?
Typically 10 to 15 years. They're an electronic device and they do wear out. Units built after 2015 self-test and will indicate failure, but older ones can quietly stop protecting while still passing power.
Outlet or breaker — which is better?
Either works. A GFCI receptacle protects that outlet and everything wired downstream of it, so one device often covers several outlets. A GFCI breaker protects the entire circuit from the panel. We recommend based on your panel, circuit layout, and what's most serviceable for you.
What about outlets with no ground wire?
A GFCI can legally be installed on ungrounded two-wire circuits and must be labeled “No Equipment Ground.” It provides shock protection but not a true ground path, so it's a valid fix — not a substitute for rewiring when rewiring is the right call.
Is GFCI the same as AFCI?
No. AFCI (arc fault) detects arcing that causes fires and is required in bedrooms and most living spaces. GFCI prevents shock. Some areas require both, and dual-function devices cover it in one.