How GFCIs And Electrical Circuit Breakers Work?

How GFCIs And Electrical Circuit Breakers Work?

Living your life without electricity and electronics is unimaginable. The amenity and devices make modern-day life comfortable. However, accidents can happen anytime, resulting in mild or severe electrical shock. Electricity/air pressure is among the 15 main causes of injury in Australia. In 2020-21, 70% of hospitalisation in this category was due to exposure to electric current.

Good circuit breakers or GFCIs in your home are also essential to prevent house fires, overheating of electrical outlets or appliances, and other mishaps. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) is a great device designed to shut off the electricity supply even upon slight overloading. You can install breakers in your home by hiring a professional electrician in Australia. It is one of the measures you must take to keep yourself and other household members safe.

Thus, read on to know more about GFCIs and electrical circuit breakers and how they work.

What are GFCIs and Circuit Breakers?

Also known as Residual Current Device (RCD), GFCI is a type of circuit breaker installed in the electrical panel. It is also installed like a receptacle in the electrical box. These electrical devices are useful when there is an imbalance between incoming and outcoming currents.

Electrical hazards can happen anytime but especially when your home has an outdated electricity system with low or poor capacity to support the load of modern electrical devices. It can also happen when you turn on too many electrical simultaneously or misuse the surge suppressors, power strips and extension cords.

Therefore, your home must always have the latest electrical system with circuit breakers. If you need to analyse the situation in your home, call a professional electrician in Australia to inspect the electrical panel or switchboard in your house.

How Does A GFCI and Standard Electrical Circuit Breaker Work?

The prime function of a GFCI or an electrical circuit breaker is to protect against deadly electrical shock, electrocution, overheating and electrical fires. It works within fractions of a second and stops the electricity supply before it can cause harm.

Standard circuit breakers cut power when the electricity flow is 10, 20, or 30 amps. They help protect the electronics from overheating, burning and short-circuiting and, in turn, prevent people from getting hurt. However, GFCIs offer superior protection by cutting power if it reaches 0.030 amps. Even the smallest amount of electricity causes severe pain and, in worse cases, causes paralysis or heart stoppage. Thus, according to electricians in Australia, people should have GFCI outlets throughout their homes.

These fixtures work by tracking the flow of current continuously and sensing fluctuations. They also detect leakage current and ground faults to prevent electrocution. GFCIs are better at detecting fluctuations and shout down the current when they sense variation. For example, if your hair dryer slips and falls in a bathtub filled with water, the GFCI will detect the fluctuation and cut power immediately.

Where to Install Circuit Breakers and GFCIs?

Standard circuit breakers are great for protecting wiring, switches, appliances, receptacles and other electrical fixtures in case the current flow is high. They prevent overheating and fire hazards in the home. Thus, installing them everywhere in your house is a practical and wise solution.

GFCIs are designed to protect the users from shock and electrocution, making them suitable for the kitchen, bathroom, pool area, laundry room, etc. Getting GFCIs in switches near water sources or areas with water is preferable. However, if you can get GFCI outlets everywhere in your home with the assistance of professional electricians in Australia, it is the best solution.

Things to Keep in Mind

Old wiring is a serious issue and one of the prime reasons for electrocution or electric fire. Therefore, if your home was constructed 10 to 20 years ago, it is vital to upgrade your house's wiring and electrical systems. Hire reliable electricians in Australia to evaluate the situation and install GFCI outlets, including single-phase outlines on the entire premises.

If your home is undergoing renovation or construction, make sure GFCI outlets are put on temporary wiring systems to detect minute fluctuations.

Also, call an electrician immediately when a GFCI is tripping continuously or often. Your hired electrician in Australia will conduct a thorough inspection. Tripping of circuit breakers can happen due to normal wear, dust build-up, moisture, mould, insulation, etc.

Endnote

GFCIs and standard circuit breakers are among the most important fixtures in your home. Ensuring they work optimally is crucial to living safely because they gauge current fluctuations and prevent electrocution, electrical fires, overheating electronics, and more. Thus, hire a professional electrician in Australia to install circuit breakers in your home. Prefer GFCIs because they are designed to protect people and prevent injury from electricity.