
I'd like to know more, and in what circumstances both might be used in the same circuit. I have seen comment somewhere that GFCI's may be faster acting than RCD's.

I presume that protected outlet(s) is the former, and the latter is the actual device?Īlso I do not properly understand how a GFCI differs from an RCD.įinally common sense surely dictates that knowledge of "time to trip" is important info. These outlets help protect you from electrical hazards by monitoring the amount of electricity flowing in a circuit and tripping the circuit if an imbalance is detected. They can be identified by the test and reset buttons located on the receptacle. By cutting off power in a fraction of a second if a ground-fault is detected, Leviton Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) GFCI receptacles and circuit breakers are engineered to help protect people from the hazards of electric shock and. I still find some confusion about GFCI outlets and GFCI's. GFCI outlets are used in areas like the kitchen, bathroom or garage where the risk of electrical shock is greater. Hydraulic-magnetic trip technology ensures precise tripping even in extreme temperature ranges. The RCD is the European nomenclature for GFCI. The GFCI receptacle will protect anything plugged into that outlet AND any downstream outlets daisy-chained from it. The circuit breaker will protect everything downstream of it. The GFCI can be an outlet (receptacle) or circuit breaker. In other words, a GFCI outlet works by cutting electric power to an electrical outlet to protect against electrical shock. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (better known as GFCIs, and sometimes referred to as GFIs) are outlets that can prevent electrical.

When a ground fault as low as 4 or 5 milliamps is detected, the sensor trips to cut the electrical power to the circuit. It also detects ground faults and disrupts the flow of current but should not be used to replace a fuse as it does not offer protection against short circuits and overloading. If there is a difference, then the GFCI will open the circuit. A GFCI outlet uses a built-in sensor that monitors electricity between the hot and neutral inlets. The GFCI outlet protects electrical wiring from overheating and possible fire, greatly minimizing the risk of shock injuries and fatal burns. It simply compares the current flowing into the circuit with the return current. A common conversation when discussing receptacles may be referring to a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) as simply a ground fault interrupter (GFI). A GFCI is any device that interrupts a ground fault in an electric circuit.
