Do I Need GFCI Outlets?
Understanding GFCI Outlets: What They Are and Why They Matter
If you live in an older house, odds are you do not have GFCI outlets in your home. What does GFCI stand for? Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. Any new build homes are required by code to have GFCIs in them. According to the code, GFCIs need to be placed in:
- Bathrooms
- Garages and accessory buildings
- Outdoors
- Crawl spaces
- Basements
- Kitchens
- Near sinks
- Boathouses
- Bathtubs or shower stalls
- Laundry areas
Bottom line: they’re an important safety feature. Here’s how they work.
What Do GFCIs Do?
GFCIs monitor the flow of electrical current and cut off power when a ground fault is detected. A ground fault is an unintentional electrical path to the ground. If a ground fault is not detected and shut off quickly, it can pose serious safety risks.
GFCIs are required by code to be installed in all newer homes. If you don’t have them, your home has increased electrical safety risks that should be addressed. These outlets detect a ground fault within milliseconds and do it automatically. What’s helpful about GFCI outlets is that you don’t have to go to the breaker to reset the outlet—you just press the button on the outlet and it should start working again, unless there is an underlying issue that needs to be addressed.
How Do You Know You Have GFCI Outlets Installed?
The answer to this question is simple. Take a look in your bathroom or kitchen—are there two buttons on the outlets that say “reset” and “test”? If not, you do not have GFCI outlets. It’s advisable to call an experienced electrician to get these outlets installed to improve your home’s electrical safety.
How to Maintain a GFCI
You do not have to do much maintenance after a GFCI is installed. There are small things that can make the outlet shut off. If you notice your GFCI outlet is tripping frequently, please call an electrician to make sure there is not a bigger issue present. It’s also recommended to press the “test” button at least once a month to ensure it is still working.
Call HomeSense at (317) 243-3581 or schedule your service online to get an electrical inspection in Indianapolis and to have GFCI outlets installed in the appropriate areas in your home.
