When it comes to home safety, understanding the different types of outlets and their functions is crucial. Two commonly discussed outlets are AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) and GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter). While both are designed to protect you from electrical hazards, they serve different purposes and are essential in specific areas of your home.

Potts Electric in St. Louis, MO, is committed to helping you understand the best ways to keep your home safe. In this blog, we’ll explore the differences between outlets and help you decide which type of protection is best for your home’s safety needs.

What Is an AFCI Outlet?

An AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlet is specifically designed to protect you from electrical fires caused by arc faults. But what exactly is an arc fault? Essentially, an arc fault occurs when there’s a gap or break in the flow of electricity, such as when a wire becomes damaged or frayed. This can create an electric arc, which is a type of high-energy discharge that can quickly spark a fire if left undetected. These types of faults can happen anywhere in your home where wiring is exposed to wear and tear, but they’re most found in older electrical systems.

AFCI outlets are designed to sense these dangerous arcs and immediately remove the power before a fire starts. They monitor the electrical flow and use advanced technology to identify faulty circuits, even if the arc isn’t immediately visible. This makes them an essential part of any home’s fire safety plan.

One of the most essential features of AFCI outlets is their ability to distinguish between harmless fluctuations in the electrical current and dangerous conditions that could lead to fires. This ability to differentiate between the two helps prevent false alarms while still providing top-notch safety. The technology in AFCI outlets has advanced over the years, making them more sensitive and reliable than ever before.

What Is a GFCI Outlet?

On the other hand, GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets are designed to protect you from electric shocks caused by ground faults. Ground faults occur when electricity escapes from its intended path, such as when a wire becomes exposed or a device malfunctions in a wet environment. The result is a dangerous flow of electricity through unintended paths—like water or even your body—leading to potentially deadly shocks.

GFCI outlets are mostly installed in areas of your home where moisture is present, as water can conduct electricity and increase the risk of shock. If it detects an imbalance, such as when current flows to a ground or another path it shouldn’t, the outlet instantly shuts off the power to prevent shock.

One of the great things about GFCI outlets is that they’re designed to be very responsive, even with small amounts of current loss. This means they’re highly effective in preventing potentially fatal shocks. Some GFCI outlets come with test and reset buttons, allowing you to check the function of the outlet manually. These features make GFCI outlets a critical safety tool in areas where water is commonly present, such as near sinks or bathtubs.

Primary Differences: AFCI vs GFCI

At their core, the key difference between AFCI and GFCI outlets comes down to the type of hazard they are designed to protect you from. Both are meant to keep electrical accidents from happening, but they do so in different ways. To keep you safe from spark flaws that could cause an electrical fire, the AFCI outlets’ main job is to avoid fires. GFCI plugs, on the other hand, are designed to keep people from getting electrical shocks by finding ground flaws.

Another difference is where these outlets are typically used in the home. AFCI outlets are more common in areas where wiring is hidden behind walls or in places like bedrooms and living rooms. These areas are more likely to have arc faults due to aging wiring or accidental damage. In contrast, GFCI outlets are commonly installed in regions that are frequently exposed to moisture or water, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and garages. These areas are more likely to experience ground faults because water is an excellent conductor of electricity.

While both outlets play an important role in safety, they do not replace each other. If your home requires protection from both arc faults and ground faults, it’s possible to install combo outlets, which combine the functions of both AFCI and GFCI in one outlet.

Where Should You Install AFCI and GFCI Outlets?

Now that you know the basics of both types of outlets, it’s essential to understand where you should install each one in your home to maximize safety.

AFCI outlets are recommended for areas of your home where there is a higher risk of electrical fires. These include bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, and finished basements. Wiring problems are more likely to happen in older homes. Adding AFCI outlets in these places can help keep electrical fires from happening. Also, any room with a hidden wire, like on the roof or behind walls, should have AFCI plugs to ensure that any possible arc problems are found before they become dangerous.

GFCI outlets should be installed in areas where water and electricity can easily mix, creating a higher risk of shock. These include bathrooms, kitchens, garages, outdoor spaces, and basements. Any space that could be exposed to moisture or water should be equipped with GFCI outlets, as water can conduct electricity and create a serious safety hazard. For example, in a bathroom, where water is often splashed around sinks or tubs, GFCI outlets will instantly shut off the power if they detect a ground fault, keeping you safe from dangerous shocks.

Maintaining Outlets

AFCI and GFCI outlets are designed to be low maintenance, but they still require attention to ensure they function correctly. It’s essential to regularly test both types of outlets to make sure they’re working correctly.

For GFCI outlets, you can use the built-in test and reset buttons to check if the outlet is functioning. Press the “test” button to simulate a ground fault, and the outlet should trip, cutting off the power. Press the “reset” button to restore the power.

For AFCI outlets, these are a bit trickier to test because they don’t have a manual testing button. However, most AFCI outlets are equipped with self-testing features, meaning they will automatically check themselves for any issues. If the outlet has a problem, it will trip and cut off the power.

Call Us for Outlet Installation

Whether you’re upgrading your home’s electrical system or ensuring you have the proper outlets in place, it’s essential to know which outlet to choose. While AFCI outlets are perfect for preventing electrical fires, especially in areas with older wiring, GFCI outlets offer imperative protection against electrical shocks in high-moisture zones. Understanding their unique benefits helps you make the right decision for each space in your home.

Whether you’re building, remodeling, or just ensuring your home is up to code, keeping these outlets in mind will provide peace of mind. Call Potts Electric when you want to add new outlets to your home. We also offer car chargers, electrical repair, smart homes, generators, new construction, wiring, and electrical panel services.

company icon