As a homeowner, one of your most important responsibilities is to maintain your home's electrical system. Electrical fires and other hazards can be caused by malfunctioning outlets, switches, and other electrical components. One important component to keep an eye on is the GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlet. These special outlets are designed to prevent electrical shocks by detecting imbalances in the electrical current and shutting off power to the outlet.
While GFCI outlets are an important safety feature in your home, they can sometimes malfunction or fail due to a variety of reasons. One common cause of GFCI outlet failure is power surges caused by lightning or other electrical events. When this happens, the outlet may trip, cutting off power to any devices or appliances plugged into it. This is particularly important because devices such as sump pumps, humidifiers, security systems, refrigerators, and irrigation clocks (just to name a few) are plugged into these GFCI’s and if the GFCI trips these appliances may stop working and because of this damage may ensue.
To avoid issues when a storm or lightning trips the outlet, it's important to conduct regular checks of your GFCI outlets. This can help ensure that they are functioning properly and are able to protect you and your family from electrical shocks. Here are some steps you can take to maintain your GFCI outlets: