Ground fault interrupter

Electrical · Lights, Outlets and Switches · printed page 104 (PDF page 105)

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Electric Ground-Fault Interrupter Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter Ground-Fault Interrupter Electrical

Text in the illustration

if there is a difference of at least 5 milliamps, there is a current leak and the GFI shuts off the outlet and all outlets downstream also known as ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)
also known as ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)
the GFI circuitry within the outlet checks constantly for a difference between the current in the black and white wires
if there is a difference of at least 5 milliamps, there is a current leak and the GFI shuts off the outlet and all outlets downstream
note:
if the GFI is in the panel, the entire circuit will be shut down
black (hot) wire
white (neutral) wire
ground wire
current going in
current coming out
TEST
RESET

Generated explanation

The illustration shows a duplex ground-fault circuit interrupter receptacle with TEST and RESET buttons and connections for hot, neutral, and ground wires. Arrows identify current entering through the black hot wire and returning through the white neutral wire. The annotation explains that internal circuitry continuously compares these currents and shuts off the outlet and downstream outlets if the difference is at least 5 milliamps. A separate note states that a GFI located in the panel shuts down the entire circuit. No installation defect is depicted.

Components

GFCI duplex receptacle hot wire neutral wire ground wire TEST button RESET button wire terminals

Materials

wire insulation metal conductors