GFCI and AFCI Outlets

Updating the electrical system of an older University Place home is essential for handling the increased electrical loads from modern appliances and systems. One of the most important upgrades to make for a home or business is to change out older outlets for newer ones that increase safety.

These are GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) and AFCI (arc-fault circuit interrupter) outlets.

New codes require specialty outlets in kitchens and bathrooms as well on the exterior of a building. Unlike the circuit breakers in the electrical panel, which are designed to prevent damage to the electrical system, these outlets protect people from high-voltage shocks and dangerous electric arcs.

Resicon LLC Is the Electrical Team for You

You will not find another electrical team in the Puget Sound area as knowledgeable and experienced as Resicon LLC. We hold an electrical contractor’s license from the State of Washington and have served many government contracts. This gives us the highest levels of expertise.

At Resicon, we are proud of our OSHA 10 certification and have extensive knowledge on how to keep buildings up to the local electrical code. When you need to make vital electrical upgrades to your home or business, such as installing and replacing GFCI and AFCI outlets, our expert electricians are who you want to call.

The GFCI Outlet

GFCI means ground-fault circuit interrupter. A GFCI outlet is designed to protect people from receiving high-voltage shocks through either the outlet or an appliance plugged into it. The outlet is easy to recognize by the two buttons between the plugs marked Reset and Test.

A GFCI outlet monitors the flow of voltage from the right or “hot” slot on the outlet to the left or “neutral” slot. If there is an imbalance between these two, it means electricity from the hot side is escaping into the ground—and that usually means it is moving through a person.

This causes the outlet to immediately trip a circuit to stop the electrical flow. The reaction time is fast, less than one-thirtieth of a second. GFCI outlets should be installed in kitchens, bathrooms, and all sleeping rooms.

The AFCI Outlet

AFCI means arc-fault circuit interrupter. It is similar in many ways to the GFCI outlet. The AFCI is designed to detect a short within the outlet, when an electric arc occurs between the circuitry. This helps prevent possible electrical fires.

The outlet monitors the current and can distinguish unwanted arcing from harmless arcs. When it does detect unwanted arcing, the outlet breaks a contact and stops the electric flow. The electrical codes determine where AFCI outlets need to be installed. You often find them in living rooms and areas where powerful appliances must be plugged in.

These Outlets Require Our Professional Electricians

You must never allow an amateur (including yourself if you are not a licensed electrician) to tamper with outlets, whether it is an attempt to repair one or to upgrade one. Electricity is dangerous and not something to take lightly. Nonprofessional attempts can result in fires or electrocution.

If you live in an older home without GFCI and AFCI outlets—or even three-prong grounded outlets—call on our licensed and experienced electricians to handle your upgrade. We will be sure it is completed safely.

Contact Our Team for All Your GFCI and AFCI Outlet Needs

In addition to working with both GFCI and AFCI outlets, our Resicon LLC electricians provide full electrical service upgrades and electrical panel upgrades to older buildings. We will be sure your Tacoma, WA, and surrounding Puget Sound area home or business remains up to code and has the electrical power it needs to safely and adequately function in today’s high-technology world. Call us today at 253-625-7952 or request service online to arrange for service.