Licensed and insured North Atlanta electrician
Your home’s electrical system is a complicated network, and when handled improperly, it can become something dangerous. To help protect your home, you need to make sure it has GFCI outlets installed where required by code and anywhere else you might need them.
GFCI outlets can help keep you and your home safe by preventing electrical current leakage. If you need GFCI outlets installed in your Woodstock, GA home, you can trust Poss Electric to do it right.
A GFCI outlet, also known as a ground fault current interrupter or ground fault circuit interrupter, is a special kind of outlet designed to protect you from dangerous shocks. Ground fault current interrupters are more common than you might think. You might even recognize them as the outlets with the “test” and “reset” buttons.
A ground fault current interrupter works just like it sounds. When the outlet detects a ground fault, it cuts power running to the outlet within fractions of a second. This cutoff prevents harmful and even fatal shocks that might have otherwise gone through the circuit.
In this way, a GFCI is a lot like a circuit breaker, which is why it is often referred to as a GFCI breaker. Power is restored simply by pressing the “reset” button once the danger is removed. If you need help installing a GFCI breaker for your safety, all you need to do is call Poss Electric.
GFCI wiring is required by federal code in the kitchen, bathroom, garage, and anywhere else where moisture might be present.
If you’re unsure as to whether you have the required GFCI wiring where you need it, our electricians can inspect your home to make sure. While GFCI outlets are required to be installed in the home, they are also highly recommended for your own safety.
The unfortunate truth is that not all homes have GFCI wiring where they should. GFCI outlets were invented in 1961 and became required in 1971. Homes built around that time or before might not have the GFCI outlets they need to be safe.
Should you only seem to have typical outlets around your home (especially where GFCI outlets are necessary), there’s a problem. If you’re unfamiliar with GFCI outlets or what they look like, the best thing you can do is consult with a professional electrician.
Don’t waste time assuming you have them and don’t hesitate to call an electrician if you suspect you don’t. If you don’t have GFCI outlets where they are needed, or if you would like more, call Poss Electric as soon as possible.
GFCI outlets need to be present in any location in or around the house where moisture might be present. This list includes the following places:
If you do not have GFCI outlets in these areas, Poss Electric can help you correct this deficiency, so your home can be safe again.
The electricians at Poss Electric know the best placement for GFCI outlets around your home. After a quick inspection, we can pinpoint any areas where a GFCI installation would best serve you and your safety.
There are three main benefits of having GFCI outlets in the home. First, they will bring your home up to code. More importantly, however, they will prevent fatal shocks for any users in the home. GFCI outlets are so effective that they’ve prevented up to 80% of potentially fatal electrocutions since they were first introduced.
Another critical benefit that isn’t so obvious is that GFCI outlets help prevent electrical fires. Over time, the insulation that contains wires degrades. The heat that those wires generate can lead to arcing. After that, all it takes is a few sparks, and a fire can start.
Normal outlets aren’t designed to deal with this possibility. GFCI outlets can. Due to their design, as soon as a problem starts, the GFCI outlet will cut power, preventing the possibility of an electrical fire until the underlying issues can be safely addressed.
Poss Electric has been installing GFCI outlets in Woodstock, GA, since 2005. Our electricians are licensed and trained to provide perfect service, guaranteed. If you need GFCI outlets installed in your home, call Poss Electric at (404) 787-7262 to schedule your free inspection.
