---
title: "What Is GFCI? Electrical Glossary | Daniel Electric"
description: "A GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) shuts off power when it senses current leaking to ground, which protects people from electric shock."
url: https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/gfci
publisher: Daniel Electric
phone: +1-817-481-8606
quote: https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/contact
---

Safety devices

# GFCI

A GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) shuts off power when it senses current leaking to ground, which protects people from electric shock.

OSHA defines a ground-fault circuit-interrupter as a device that protects people by shutting off a circuit within an established time when current to ground goes above a set value. That value is lower than what trips an ordinary breaker. The leak it watches for is a [ground fault](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/ground-fault).

GFCIs come as outlets or as breakers. An [AFCI](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/afci) is a different device with a different job. A GFCI that trips again and again is giving a warning, so have a licensed electrician find the cause. See [GFCI vs AFCI](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/guides/gfci-vs-afci).

[Daniel Electric can helpResidential electrician](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/electrician)

## Related terms

-   [Ground fault](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/ground-fault)
-   [AFCI](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/afci)
-   [Dual-function breaker](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/dual-function-breaker)
-   [Receptacle](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/receptacle)

## Sources

1.  [OSHA: 1910.399 Definitions applicable to this subpart](https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.399)
2.  [CPSC: New Technology for Preventing Residential Electrical Fires](https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/AFCIFireTechnology.pdf)

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