Does GFCI Protect Against Surges?

We are blessed with one of the most reliable and trouble-free electrical grids in the world. We often take the quality of the electrical service we receive for granted. However, we still are subject to problems with the power on occasion. One of these problems is power surges that can damage or destroy appliances and electronics. Many people wonder if their GFCI outlets protect their electronics from power surges.

GFCI outlets do not provide surge protection for your home appliances and electronics. GFCI outlets are designed to protect people from inadvertent electric shocks in wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens. Surge protectors are designed to protect sensitive electronic equipment from grid power spikes. Surge protectors should never be used in place of GFCI protection in wet areas.

GFCI devices and surge protectors are designed for entirely different situations and functions. Each has a place in our home’s electrical system and, when used properly, can provide a higher level of protection for our families and our electronic equipment. However, the two devices are not interchangeable.

Both a GFCI and a surge protector are designed to work with the electrical system in your home. Many people are unaware of the difference between these two devices. Understanding the operation and use of these two devices is critical to ensure their proper application.

These two devices are designed for two separate functions and are not interchangeable. A surge protector will not provide the same protection for your family as a GFCI. A GFCI will not protect your valuable appliances and electronics from power surges and spikes.

GFCI, ground fault circuit interrupts, continually monitor the flow of electricity in the circuit where it is located. Most GFCI devices can monitor currents as low as 4 or 5 milliamps. If the difference between the inflow of current and the outflow of current suddenly changes, the GFCI instantly interrupts the current flow.

Such a sudden change in the current flow can be caused by several different situations. GFCI outlets are commonly installed in wet areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. If an appliance is inadvertently dropped into water, the GFCI interrupts the power flow and prevents a dangerous electrical shock.

Surge protectors protect the electronics and other parts that now exist in every appliance in our homes. These delicate electronic parts expect a constant and fixed power source. In most cases, the electricity we get from the grid is smooth with very little variation. However, our grid system still experiences power surges that occur unexpectedly.

The source of these power fluctuations may be the grid itself or may occur from weather-related events such as a lightning strike on a power pole in your neighborhood. Whatever the cause, the sudden jump in current can damage appliances and electronics.

A surge protector monitors the level of current coming into the system. In most homes in the US, the current expected at the outlet is 120 volts AC. Should the current suddenly be above this level, the surge protector shuts off the current to your appliances or electronics. The power is shunted to the grounding wire on the outlet.

GFCI outlets differ from standard outlets used in residential construction. Ordinary outlets have two vertical slots and a round hole centered underneath. On duplex outlets, there are two sets of these slots and holes. Typically, a single small screw hole is in the center of the ordinary outlet to attach the cover plate.

GFCI outlets differed from ordinary duplex outlets. You should see two buttons labeled “Test” and “Reset.” In addition, a small LED light should glow on the outlet indicating the GFCI is working. To test your GFCI outlet, press the “Test” button. The red LED light should immediately go dark. If not, the GFCI outlet may be defective and need to be replaced.

If the LED light does stop glowing, press the “Reset” button until you hear a click, and the red LED light begins to glow again. This indicates that the GFCI is again working and protecting the outlet. If the LED light does not illuminate after you push “reset,” the GFCI outlet is worn out and needs to be replaced.

GFCI outlets do wear out. Most industry experts advise that GFCI outlets have about ten years of life expectancy. Any GFCI outlet older than this should be replaced.

It is acceptable to plug a surge protector strip into a GFCI outlet. You may notice some strange behaviors under some circumstances. You should be aware of how the two devices may interact.

If a sudden power surge hits your home and the surge protector trips to protect your appliances and electronics, the excess power is shunted to the ground wire in the circuit. This may cause the GFCI to trip to the off position as well. If you experience a surge in your power system, you may need to reset both the GFCI and the surge protector to restore power to your devices.

Unfortunately, the answer to this question is no. Circuit breakers offer protection to the electrical system if short circuits or overloads on the circuit occur. Circuit breakers work much like a resettable fuse.

Any number of things can cause a circuit breaker to trip. A frayed wire that creates a short in the circuit will trip a breaker. Overloading the circuit with too many appliances can cause a breaker to trip. The problem with most standard circuit breakers is the slow operation time.

An overloaded circuit breaker can take up to 30 seconds to trip. Under most circumstances, this is an adequate reaction time to protect your home from damage caused by a short circuit or overload condition. However, if you or someone in your family is accidentally part of that short circuit or overload, thirty seconds can be deadly.

GFCI’s are designed to operate much quicker than circuit breakers. Most GFCI outlets will trip and stop the current flow in about one-thirtieth of a second. This incredibly swift operation time protects you, your family, and your home from disastrous events.

Many new homes are now equipped with circuit breakers that serve as GFCI devices. These GFCI circuit breakers protect the entire branch circuit. Many cities and counties in the US are changing their electrical code requirements to make GFCI circuit breakers mandatory.

Your electrician can easily retrofit your home’s electrical system with GFCI circuit breakers on those branch circuits serving areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, garages, basements, and laundry rooms. These GFCI circuit breakers can also protect outside electrical circuits such as patios and decks.

Replacing or installing a GFCI outlet is certainly within the skill set of most home do-it-yourselfers. You should follow the correct safety procedures by shutting the electrical service to the branch circuit before starting. Follow the manufacturer’s directions exactly for installing the GFCI outlet. In most cases, you will need a new cover plate as well.

Wiring a GFCI circuit to protect a set of outlets downstream from the GFCI outlet is a bit more complicated. While some homeowners may have the skills to perform this installation, we recommend that you hire a qualified licensed electrician to make these kinds of repairs or upgrades.