Then press the test button.
Gfci electrical outlet definition.
A ground fault circuit interrupter is a protective device specifically designed to break the circuit every time there is an imbalance between incoming and outgoing current.
This would be a gfci breaker on your electric distribution panel and will protect multiple outlets.
The gfci outlet protects electrical wiring and receptacles from overheating and possible fire greatly minimizing the risk of shock injuries and fatal burns.
A gfi is a local ground fault interrupter it is at the outlet and not on the panel.
A ground fault circuit interrupter gfci or residual current device rcd is a type of circuit breaker which shuts off electric power when it senses an imbalance between the outgoing and incoming current.
To test the outlet press the reset button and then plug in a simple night light or other electrical device.
The main purpose is to protect people from an electric shock caused when some of the current travels through a person s body due to an electrical fault such as a short circuit insulation.
Thus it is not possible to tell if a receptacle is gfci protected or not by just looking at it.
The device should turn on.
Additional outlets can be protected downstream of the local outlet type with push buttons by wiring the added outlets to the load side of the local gfci device.
On a final note understand that gfci outlets always eventually wear out so you should test them about once per month source.