We tend to take our electrical outlets for granted, since they’ve become such an indispensable part of our homes. Plug in the appliance, turn it on and off when you need it, no problem, right? But outlets can be more than just convenient places to run electrical doodads. They can be a stalwart defense against electrical surges and other dangers to your home. Thunderstorms and lightning strikes are not uncommon here in Bandera, TX and without proper protection, every electrical device in your house could be at risk.
GFCI outlets make an excellent way of countering those dangers: inexpensive, easily installed by a trained electrician and ready to go in minutes. They can make a huge difference in protecting your home and property from electrical surges. Here’s a quick breakdown of how they work.
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, a device that monitors the level of electricity flowing through the wire. When the current fluctuates, it activates a kill switch that shuts off power to the outlet. You can sense it with the little button in the middle of the GFCI will pop out to indicate that the circuit has been shut off. You can reset the outlet simply by pushing the button own again, presumably after you’ve corrected whatever has caused the surge.
The Benefits
The benefits of GFCI outlets in your home almost go without saying. They work best in parts of the home where water may be splashing — the kitchen, the bathroom and the like — and can serve as an easy protection form those kinds of shorts. They protect whatever appliances are connected to them – helping to protect your property – as well as granting peace of mind for homeowners worried about electrical shorts. Of course, it helps to have the outlets put in place by a trained technician and have them checked periodically.
Contact D’Spain for all of your electrical needs!
