What does a GFCI protect against?

A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) is designed to protect individuals from electrical shock caused by ground faults. A ground fault occurs when there is an unintentional electrical path between a source of current and a grounded surface. This can happen, for instance, when a person comes into contact with water while using an electrical device, creating a safety hazard.

GFCIs continuously monitor the amount of current flowing from hot to neutral. If they detect any imbalance, indicating that some current is leaking to the ground (which could potentially cause harm), they swiftly disconnect the power supply, thus reducing the risk of electric shock. This feature is particularly important in wet areas such as kitchens and bathrooms where the likelihood of ground faults is higher due to moisture.

The other options include potential electrical issues, but they are not within the protective function of a GFCI. Overvoltage and overcurrent refer to conditions that could damage electrical devices rather than provide electric shock protection, while short circuits involve a different type of fault that GFCIs do not specifically address. Therefore, the primary function of a GFCI is to safeguard against ground faults.