AFCI vs GFCI (What’s the Difference?)

Safety has been a pillar of electricity since Benjamin Franklin conducted the historic Philadelphia kite experiment in the mid-1700s. Benjamin Franklin’s early experiments helped spark public interest in electrical safety. Today, those safety principles are addressed via modern electrical standards, such as the NEC. Electrical safety is regulated by the National Electrical Code (NEC), which requires Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI) and Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) for residential circuits in specific areas of a home.

AFCI, GFCI, and Electrical Safety

When Clover Electric began doing business in 1985, GFCI technology had been in the NEC for less than 15 years. AFCI technology was developed in the 1990s, and it entered the NEC in 1999. Both technologies were developed to boost household electrical safety.

UC Berkeley Professor Charles Dalziel developed GFCI technology in the early 1960s. His work focused on detecting ground faults that lacked sufficient power to trip circuit breakers, but could be fatal to household members. Three decades later, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reviewed reports about house fires caused by arcing in the circuit wiring. The reviews prompted the development of AFCI technology to prevent electrical fires.

The combination of AFCI and GFCI technologies promotes comprehensive electrical safety in your Northeast Ohio home. GFCI devices (outlets) prevent shock hazards in living spaces where water is a risk factor. AFCI devices (circuit breakers) reduce the risk of fires caused by damaged insulation, faulty wiring, and loose connections.

GFCI Outlets

You’ve probably seen these outlets, which feature two buttons labeled TEST and RESET, inside basements, bathrooms, garages, and kitchens. In exterior living spaces like balconies, decks, and porches, GFCI outlets feature weatherproof covers. Water and moisture are the common denominators of these spaces because they significantly increase the risk of a dangerous ground fault.

GFCI outlets are covered by NEC Section 210.8, which identifies the areas of a home and accessory structures where they’re required. Generally, they must be installed anywhere you need to plug appliances or devices that are close to a water source. These outlets constantly monitor the electrical current flowing through the hot and neutral wires. The current output and return in residential circuits should be equal. When GFCI outlets detect a 5-milliampere imbalance, they cut off power to prevent electrical shock. In other words, GFCI outlets detect dangerous current leaks whereby water or people would be the grounding element absorbing a full discharge.

You can test GFCI outlets with lamps. After plugging the lamp in, turn it on and push the TEST button on the outlet. You’ll hear a click as the RESET button pops out and the lamp turns off. To restore GFCI protection, push the RESET button back in.

AFCI Outlets and Circuit Breakers

Electrical fire prevention is at the heart of AFCI technology. Like GFCI outlets, AFCI outlets monitor currents to detect arcing faults, whereby sparks jump across wiring gaps. The most common causes of arcing include frayed insulation, loose terminals, and electrical cords pinched behind furniture. Arcing may not be intense enough to trip the circuit breaker; nonetheless, the generated heat can ignite insulation, rafters, and other construction materials. AFCI outlets and circuit breakers work together to detect arcing patterns, cutting the power to eliminate the ignition source.

The first mandate of NEC section 210.12 required AFCI protection for outlets in bedrooms in the early 2000s. The Residential Code of Ohio adopted the mandate, updating it with subsequent editions to include major living spaces like dining rooms and living rooms. AFCI protection is a modern standard; many homes built before the early 2000s won’t have it unless the electrical system has been updated.

Bringing residential circuits up to code includes installing AFCI outlets and circuit breakers. When we get panel upgrade requests at Clover Electric, we know that AFCI protection is part of the job. For example, going from 100 amps to 200 amps triggers updated code requirements for the work being done, and this includes installing AFCI and GFCI protection in required locations.

The Bottom Line of AFCI and GFCI Protection

Beyond the compliance matter of AFCI and GFCI technologies being NEC mandates, they are vital for electrical safety. The bottom line is that you need both AFCI and GFCI protection at home to protect against electric shock and fires. At Clover Electric, we’ve completed many system upgrades featuring AFCI and GFCI outlets, particularly for historic homes in Lakewood and Cleveland Heights. You can combine outlet and panel upgrades with other services we offer, such as installing smart appliances and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

For all questions about AFCI, GFCI, and home circuit upgrades, contact Clover Electric today.