Electrical safety in your home is of the utmost importance, which is why many Phoenix homes—especially newly constructed homes—now feature GFCI outlets. These special outlets are specifically designed to protect people from dangerous electrical events. Not every home is equipped with a GFCI outlet; however, one can be easily installed by a knowledgeable electrician.
At Penguin Air, Plumbing & Electrical, nothing is more important to us than your safety. That’s why we’ve dedicated this blog post to highlighting how critical it is to have a GFCI outlet installed in your home. Read on to find out more about these protective devices and how they can benefit your Phoenix area home.
What Is a GFCI Outlet?
GFCI stands for ground-fault circuit interrupter. Unlike circuit breakers that protect electrical systems from damage during a power surge, GFCI outlets protect people from high-voltage shocks. These units are typically installed in bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchens, garages, and even outdoor areas of the home. The more GFCI outlets your home has, the better its electrical safety. In fact, the Electrical Safety Foundation International reports that thanks to GFCI installation, the number of home electrocutions has been cut in half.
The device protects people by detecting ground faults, which are electrical paths that have been unintentionally created between a current source and a grounded surface. Put simply, an unwanted electrical current leaks into the ground, presenting a safety hazard that could lead to severe electric shock. In serious cases, these high-voltage shocks can even lead to death.
What Benefits Do GFCI Outlets Provide?
The biggest benefit that GFCIs provide is improved electrical safety in the home. However, there are additional benefits that installing such outlets in your home can provide.
Fire Prevention
Not only capable of preventing electrical shock, GFCIs also help prevent against electrical fires. Over time, your home’s wiring will age and its insulation will deteriorate. This can cause wires to become loose or exposed, which can be very dangerous if these wires experience continued surges in the electrical current. When this happens, it can spark a fire. GFCIs help prevent this from happening by putting a stop to prolonged surges that can lead to electrical fire.
Modernized Electrical
In addition to enhanced home safety, installing GFCIs in the home can bring your outlets up to modern electrical codes. While it’s not required by law to modernize electrical equipment in older homes, doing so is a good idea to enhance safety. Not only that, but upgrading your older home’s electrical outlets with GFCIs can increase the overall value of your home if you’re planning to sell in the future.
Are GFCI Outlets Required in Your Home?
According to the National Electrical Code, all new kitchens, bathrooms, garages, basements, laundry rooms, outdoor areas, and other areas of the home must have GFCIs installed. However, it is not required for older homes to upgrade their old outlets with a GFCI (although, we highly recommend you do so). GFCIs can be easily installed with very little effort or investment necessary. That said, it’s never a good idea to attempt to install such a unit yourself. Always leave GFCI installation in the hands of a skilled electrician to avoid experiencing electric shock or even accidental death.
Choose Penguin Air for Phoenix Area GFCI Installation
At Penguin Air, our team of knowledgeable electricians have the skills and expertise necessary to safely install GFCIs in your Phoenix area home. We are committed to helping improve your home safety, delivering long-lasting electrical solutions on which Phoenix residents can rely.
When your home needs electrical upgrades, look no further than Penguin Air for your GFCI installation needs: Contact our team to schedule service today!