Keeping your home comfortable and safe is a focus every homeowner has. In keeping your home healthy and safe, you want to take necessary steps to protect your home and family against home fires, electrical shocks and electrocution. To ensure the safety of your home and avoid these types of dangerous occurrences, we recommend the installation of GFCI outlets which help to control short circuits and ensure that the electrical current in your home or business is flowing safely and properly.
What Is A GFCI Outlet?
GFCI stands for ground fault circuit interrupter. A GFCI outlet monitors and controls the amount of electricity flowing through it at any specific time. When appliances and other devices are plugged into a GFCI outlet, the current flowing through the outlet must remain balanced. If this balance is disrupted and a short circuit occurs, the GFCI outlet will immediately terminate the electricity that is currently running through it.
These outlets are specifically designed to cut off the flow of electricity to avoid electrical shocks that may occur. Primarily used in areas of the home where water is in use, such as a bathroom or kitchen, these outlets are a surefire way of preventing electrical shock or even electrocution risks and hazards. Though they are typically installed near to water areas of the home, they can also be installed in other areas of the home as well.
Be Sure to Routinely Test Your GFCI Outlets
Our team of highly experienced and certified electricians recommends that homeowners test any GFCI outlets in their homes monthly. With routine testing you can identify any problems with the outlets that may have developed which could interfere with the protection they are designed to give. The procedure for testing these outlets is quick and easy. You begin by pushing the reset button located on the outlet. Choose a device or appliance to plug into the outlet. Turn the appliance or device on and then push the test button located on the GFCI outlet. When you push this button, the appliance or device should immediately turn off because the outlet, at this time, is blocking the electrical flow to the item.
If the appliance or device turns off during the testing, then you can feel confident that your GFCI outlet is working properly and will continue to protect your home and family. If, however, during the test mode, the appliance does not turn off, then surely there is a problem with the outlet. It is best to call in a professional to either repair the outlet or replace it altogether. You should not keep an outlet that is not working properly since it is unable to offer the protection it is designed to offer and can ultimately cause serious problems.
Installations and Services You Can Trust
Gervais Electric, Inc. takes tremendous pride in our high-quality electrical parts and services we offer. Our team is steadfast in their commitment to meet the individual needs of all our valued clients. From high-quality products and superior services, to affordable prices and attractive turnaround times, we have it all.
We provide both residential and commercial electrical services and that includes the installation, repair and replacement of GFCI outlets. For more information about our superior services or to schedule an installation or service appointment, reach out to one of our trusted team members today. We stand ready to serve you and to help you ensure the overall health, comfort and safety of your home or business. For all your residential or commercial electrical needs, including 24/7 emergency electrical services, look to the pros here at Gervais Electric, Inc. where safety is always our number one priority!
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