GFCI Outlets

Protect Your Tulsa, OK Home With GFCI Outlets From Watt's Right Electric

Electricity and water don't mix. Period. It only takes a few drops of water on your laptop to render it useless, and until recently, letting your phone get wet required prayer and a whole lot of rice to have a chance of it ever working again. When it comes to your home's electrical system, water getting where it doesn't belong can increase the risk of catastrophic events, from arcing circuits starting a fire to a surge overwhelming a handheld device and causing electrocution. Simply put, you don't want to take any chances, which is why you need professional GFCI installation from your friends at Watt's Right Electric.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (the official name of GFCI outlets) are there to shut down the power flow to any circuit where water is detected. They feature their own breaker to cut things off before there's trouble. They are a vital component to protecting your home's electrical system - and your family.

Where Should You Have GFCI Installations In Your Home?

Once upon a time, GFCI outlets were only required to be installed where the outlet was going to be near a source of water. But the National Electric Code (NEC) has updated those requirements to cover any outlet that's going to be within 6 feet of a water source. This means your bathrooms, kitchen, garage, outdoor, crawlspace or any other outlet that is that close to water should have a GFCI outlet installed. While it may seem like a bit of overkill - the overall chances of water getting into the outlet are slim - the possibility still exists, which plants this firmly into the "better safe than sorry" category. Our general rule of thumb works like this - if you think you might need a GFCI outlet at a particular location, then you definitely need a GFCI outlet at that location.

What Are The Benefits Of GFCI Installation?

There is a lot of peace of mind you can enjoy when you have GFCI outlets in your home. Here are a few of their advantages:

• Prevent Fires - When an electrical current is leaking, it creates the potential for an electrical fire. GFCIs shut off before this becomes a problem.
• Avoid Shocks - When water gets into an outlet and you're using a device plugged into that outlet, there's a chance a current could run up the line and shock you. A GFCI will cut off at the first sign of trouble.
• Protect Equipment - Anything that's plugged into a GFCI outlet has an added layer of protection from electrical surges since the GFCI will trip to cut the power before damage occurs.
• Set It & Forget It - GFCIs have an automated monitor that lets them know when there's a problem and they need to spring into action. They are so sensitive that it only takes milliseconds for a GFCI to respond to trouble.
• Easy Resetting - Unlike a regular breaker where you have to go to your home's electrical panel, GFCIs can be easily reset by the push of a button on the outlet.