A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, or _______, senses the current flowing, trips the circuit, and cuts off electricity.

• A. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)
• B. Ground Fault Interrupter (GFCI)
• C. Residual Current Device (RCD)
• D. Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI)

Answer: (A)

The device described is defined by its action: it monitors the flow of current and, if it detects a ground fault or leakage, it trips the circuit to cut off power. The term that fits this description is GFCI, which stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. This device is designed to protect people from electric shock by sensing even small imbalances between the current in the hot and neutral conductors and quickly interrupting power when leakage to ground is detected. In many regions the same function is called a Residual Current Device, but the core idea remains the same. An Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter, on the other hand, detects dangerous arcing, which is a different failure mode and not the scenario described here.