GFCIs are important safety devices, test them regularly

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GFCIs this is a critical part of an electrical evaluation
 GFCIs are recommended near any source of water, in garages, and crawlspaces.  We always look for and test these.   If installed in household branch circuits, they could prevent over two-thirds of the approximately 300 electrocutions still occurring each year in and around the home. Installation of the device could also prevent thousands of burn and electric shock injuries each year.  The GFCI is designed to protect people from severe or fatal electric shocks Because a GFCI detects ground faults, it can also prevent some electrical fires and reduce the severity of others by interrupting the flow of electric current..

Read more information from the Consumer Product Safety Commission at our online library

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HOW THE GFCI WORKS

In the home's wiring system, the GFCI constantly monitors electricity flowing in a circuit, to sense any loss of current. If the current flowing through the circuit differs by a small amount from that returning, the GFCI quickly switches off power to that circuit. The GFCI interrupts power faster than a blink of an eye to prevent a lethal dose of electricity. You may receive a painful shock, but you should not be electrocuted or receive a serious shock injury.

Seattle Area ASHI Home Inspection Team
Serving Seattle, Tacoma, Everett Olympia and all of King, Snohomish, Pierce, Thurston Counties