GFCI and AFCI Protection: What It Is and Why It Matters
Homes built or renovated today feature many electrical safety devices that owners and occupants rely on—and even take for granted. Two of the most important are ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) and arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs).
These devices help protect homes against the potential dangers of fire, as well as from leakage or arcing faults. They’re required in certain areas in the home, and neglecting to install and/or maintain them can lead to life-threatening consequences.
Below, we’ll walk through why maintaining these protections is an essential electrical service, look at the differences between GFCI vs arc fault breaker interrupters and answer questions you may have about how these technologies keep you safe.
What Is GFCI Protection?
A ground fault circuit interrupter is a special kind of outlet designed to protect against ground faults. A ground fault occurs when an electrical pathway is created, unintentionally, between a source of power and a grounded surface. Common reasons for ground faults include exposure to water and degradation of an appliance’s parts, which leads to electrical leakage.
GFCIs work by detecting a difference in the amount of electricity that flows into a circuit. If it differs slightly, the GFCI will flag this drop-off as a loss of current that could be because of a leakage. Then, it immediately shuts off power to prevent an electrical shock or burn.
GFCIs “trip” (shut off the power) to stop potentially harmful overflows. When operating as designed, this prevents personal injury and larger consequences, like fires. Whether they trip due to an actual fault or a false alarm, they need to be reset to get the devices working again.
What Is AFCI Protection?
An arc fault circuit interrupter is a technological protection against arc faults. Also known as arcing, arc faults happen when excess electricity moves or “arcs” between two locations. Common examples include:
- Series arc faults, which occur within a conductor-connection system.
- Parallel arcs, which occur between a neutral or hot conductor and a grounded conductor.
Similar to GFCIs, AFCIs address faults by detecting anomalies in electrical current. They analyze waveforms and, when a dangerous arc happens, trip the circuit to cut off power flow and prevent a fire. AFCI protections are commonly found in breakers within the electrical panel, where they may be combined with GFCI. They can also be found on individual outlets.
AFCIs are crucial, as arc faults are a major contributor to fire risks, causing 35,000+ home fires every year.
GFCI vs. Arc Fault Breaker Interrupters: What’s the Difference?
GFCI and AFCI both protect against electrical faults, but the specific kinds of dangers they prevent, and the ways they work, differ. As their names make clear:
- GFCIs protect against ground faults
- AFCIs protect against arc faults
Importantly, GFCIs do not protect against arc faults, and AFCIs do not protect against ground faults. In other words, they’re not interchangeable.
There are also differences in how each technology works.
- GFCIs monitor for dips in electrical current, typically at the level of an individual outlet.
- AFCIs analyze waveforms, typically from the breaker.
Both can function in either place, but they’re looking for different things.
While not interchangeable, GFCI and AFCI are compatible. They work together to keep homes and occupants safe, especially when paired with smart power controls for safety and efficiency.
Where GFCI Protection Is Required in a Home
GFCI protections have been required by the National Electrical Code (NEC) since 1971, though mandates have expanded with each revision since. Specifically, GFCIs are now mandated in places where ground faults are most likely to occur and/or cause the most harm.
Locations where GFCI protections are currently required include, but are not limited to:
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Garages
- Basements
- Crawlspaces
- Outdoor outlets
Other wet or damp locations may also require GFCI protection—check with an electrician to be sure.
In 2026, changes to the NEC will impact GFCI requirements for outlets that service electric vehicles (EVs). In particular, these outlets will require special-purpose GFCIs (SPGFCIs).
Where AFCI Protection Is Required in a Home
AFCI protections have been required by the NEC since 1999. As of 2026, they’re required in many high-traffic areas within a home. Specifically, places that could cause immediate danger to a person if a fire were to occur need protection.
These include, but are not limited to:
- Bedrooms
- Living areas
- Hallways
- Kitchens
- Basements
Other habitable spaces that have outlets and are frequently occupied by people may also need AFCI protection. Even in places where they aren’t explicitly required, adding AFCIs can provide occupants and guests with greater peace of mind.
AFCI regulations can vary widely by state or other local rules. Check with an electrician familiar with the codes in your specific area to learn whether or not you need AFCIs.
Do You Need Both GFCI and AFCI Protection?
Some areas of the home require both AFCI and GFCI protection. In particular, areas that see high traffic or occupancy and have electrical appliances close to water (e.g., kitchens) may require both GFCI and AFCI protection.
In these areas, homeowners often opt for combination breakers and/or outlets that offer both GFCI and AFCI protection from a single, efficient device.
Recent updates to NEC and local codes have strengthened protection requirements. Because of that, many professionals will install greater protection than is necessarily needed to ensure coverage for any future shifts in AFCI or GFCI mandates.
At the end of the day, a great practice is using AFCI breakers throughout the home and GFCI outlets throughout rooms with water sources.
Signs Your Home May Be Missing Required Protection
Not having GFCI or AFCI protections where you need them is one of the biggest indicators that you need to call an electrician. Some signs to look out for, before an emergency happens, are:
- Older electrical panels
- Frequent tripped breakers
- A lack of GFCI-marked outlets in required locations
- Recent renovations without electrical upgrades
Most contractors working today have at least a passing knowledge of GFCI and AFCI protection requirements. However, depending on the scope and scale of work you’ve had done, there’s a chance that a required change was overlooked. This also applies to DIY projects, like installing aesthetically pleasing outlets or covers that obscure functional elements inside.
If you’re not sure if you have adequate GFCI and/or AFCI protection, contact a professional. It could save you from an unpleasant shock or a life-altering fire.
How Brda Electric Helps Improve Electrical Safety
Homeowners and occupants need GFCI and AFCI protections to ensure their safety, comfort and peace of mind. Beyond code requirements, these relatively inexpensive upgrades can go a long way toward preventing both minor inconveniences and devastating fires.
Plus, figuring out if your home is protected is as easy as calling an electrician to evaluate your GFCI/AFCI coverage.
Brda Electric has provided residential electrical services for over 35 years, so our experts have consulted on and installed GFCI and AFCI protections through all the updates to the NEC and local codes. We know how to install and upgrade these protections to keep you and your home safe.
Contact Brda Electric today to schedule your electrical safety assessment.