Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets have become a cornerstone of electrical safety in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Designed to prevent electric shocks and reduce fire hazards, GFCI technology has evolved significantly over the years. Among the most widely used variants are the 15 Amp GFCI Outlet and the 20 Amp GFCI Outlet , each serving distinct applications while adhering to stringent safety standards set by the National Electrical Code (NEC).
1. The leakage current of 6 mA set by GFCI is the technical minimum leakage current, and it is also the critical value of safe current that the human body can get rid of. The leakage current of the traditional leakage protector is 30 mA, which is not a safe leakage current, and it is more harmful to children, heart patients, and the weak, and may even cause casualties. Why can't the general leakage protector be 6 mA? If it is 6 mA, the leakage current of each power end will be superimposed, which will cause frequent tripping, so the general leakage protection standard is 30 mA.
2. GFCI is with neutral line and phase line protection. The traditional leakage protector only has phase line protection, no neutral line and ground line protection, and the safety is not as high as GFCI.
3. The minimum leakage current of GFCI is 6 mA, and the action time is 0.025 seconds. The traditional leakage protector is 30 mA, and the action time is 0.1 seconds (the national standard is 0.25 seconds). GFCI has a faster power-off speed and a higher sensitivity to leakage action, which can more effectively protect the safety of people and property.
4. GFCI has lightning surge protection function, which is not available in traditional leakage protectors.
5. GFCI also has a switch function, and its switch life is more than 10,000 times, while traditional leakage protectors are generally 6,000 times (national standard).
6. GFCI has a reverse wiring error function, which can prevent damage caused by miswiring by non-professionals. Traditional leakage protectors do not have this function.
7. There is a product self-check function. The product regularly self-checks and finds that there may be abnormalities inside. After confirming its own abnormality, it can automatically trip. Traditional leakage protectors do not have this function.
8. GFCI terminal installation is more convenient. It is a point-to-point protection, which is easy to find the leakage power source and troubleshoot. Traditional leakage protectors provide safety protection for a power consumption area or a single line. Any terminal fault will cause the entire branch or the entire line to lose power. The fault location is difficult to resolve and eliminate in time, and a professional electrician must be found to eliminate it. Finding the root cause of the fault is time-consuming and laborious, and delays other power needs.