GFCIs may look very similar to a standard home outlet, except for their “Test” and “Reset” buttons. However, these protective outlets offer an advanced safety feature you typically don’t find on traditional electrical outlets. Your GFCI outlet continuously monitors how much electricity flows through it. It then trips and grounds excess electricity if it starts leaking electricity or a device pulls more electricity from it. This feature can potentially save your life in cases where you might drop something like a hairdryer into a bathtub. When a GFCI outlet trips, it cuts off the electricity flow within 1/30th of a second.

While GFCI outlets can save your or a loved one’s life in various situations, these outlets are not suitable for all areas or appliances. Many electronic devices produce heat or electromagnetic interference and may cause GFCI outlets to trip regularly, so a GFCI outlet will be ineffective. Refrigerators and freezers produce a slight-but-noticeable electromagnetic field and can confuse a GFCI outlet and lead to it tripping. Similarly, space heaters, toaster ovens, irons, and other devices can produce enough heat to cause your GFCI outlets to trip repeatedly. Furthermore, you should not plug power cords or extension cords into GFCI outlets whenever you can avoid it. The electricity multiple devices require to power them can impact your GFCI outlet’s ability to work correctly.

If you don’t have GFCI outlets in the right rooms in your home, you could risk electrocution whenever you plug in a device. GFCI installation services are quick and affordable when you consider their immense safety benefits. Mr. Electric of St. Paul will gladly help you figure out which rooms need GFCI outlets, and then we’ll install GFCI outlets for you. Request your GFCI outlet installation appointment online now!