Make electrical safety a priority in your home.

GFCI and AFCIs

Statistics indicate that the number of deaths and injuries due to electrical hazards may be on the decline. Part of the reason for that may be related to the use of ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) and arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs). GFCIs can protect against electrical shock, while AFCIs detect hazards often responsible for electrical fires.

To help keep your family safe from electrical hazards, increase your electrical safety awareness. Make sure you’re using quality electrical safety products, such as GFCIs and AFCIs, to help protect against electrical shocks and fires.

GFCIs

One of the most important safety devices in your home is a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). Estimates indicate that the installation of GFCIs have saved hundreds of lives and prevented thousands of injuries in the U.S. over the past 30 years.

GFCIs are designed to provide protection against electrical shock from ground faults, or leakage currents, which occur when the electrical current flows outside of the circuit conductors.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) Must be Checked Regularly. There are four steps to this test. To begin, please click on the button where indicated.

For a printable GFCI demonstration click here.

Other ESFI GFCI links:

ESFI Raises Awareness of New UL and CSA Requirements for GFCI's

GFCI Poster and Flyer

Developed as a joint effort between ESFI, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), this promotional piece, available in both poster and flyer sizes, is intended to help remind people on the job and at home of the availability of potentially life-saving ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), and the importance of testing GFCIs monthly and after major electrical storms.

View or download the GFCI poster. To order a hard copy of the GFCI poster or flyer visit the ESFI Store or print the ESFI Order Form and mail or fax your order in.

AFCIs

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters, or AFCIs, are electrical safety devices designed to prevent fires caused by dangerous electrical arcs. Arc faults are one of the major causes of the thousands of residential electrical fires that occur each year.

Use of new AFCI technology could prevent 50 to 75 percent of these fires, saving hundreds of lives, reducing thousands of injuries and nearly $1 billion in property damage annually.

A Letter from DuPont At DuPont, special emphasis on electrical safety awareness at work and at home during the month of May has been an institution since 1990. This year, one of the company's manufacturing facilities promoted the benefits of AFCIs, resulting in this testimonial… Our house was built in 1976. After numerous remodeling projects over the years by different contractors, we decided that our house was a good candidate for AFCI installation. The AFCI project was costly—about $530 or so for 16 circuits—and it was tempting to back out, thinking it was "overkill.” But the day after the project was completed, one of the AFCIs tripped. We thought that the AFCI was faulty, but the electrician disagreed. An extensive four-hour investigation revealed an arcing hazard in our house! A negligent remodeling contractor made several wiring errors that were corrected during the investigation. The cause of the AFCI trip was loose wires in an outlet. I hope DuPont continues to share these valuable tips. This may have prevented a tragedy! I hope others give this serious consideration.

Other ESFI AFCI links:

ESFI Encourages AFCI Installation