Electricity is really quite lazy. It doesn’t want to stay in your toaster, for example, doing the work it’s assigned. Given the opportunity, it’s likely to head for “the ground,” where it will dissipate and loaf around. The path it takes might be through water or along a damp surface, and the ground might be something as innocent as your kitchen sink, which is connected to the actual ground by means of its plumbing. Trouble is, when you’re the path, you can be electrocuted or shocked. A GFCI, or ground fault circuit interrupter, is designed to protect you by sensing electricity leaking to ground. It does this by detecting the difference between incoming and outgoing current. They should be equal, and if they’re not, it cuts power. GFCI-protected outlets are required in kitchens, baths and garages and sometimes in other areas, depending on local building codes.

Expert Tip

Checking a GFCI outlet receptacle is a simple matter. Press its test button; this should cut the power to any device that is plugged into the outlet receptacle as well as that to any additional outlet receptacles wired downstream on the same circuit. The reset button should restore the power.