GFCI Wall Outlet Question

No

No.

John Grabowski

No,

But they automatically notify the Fire Department when you exceed 15 amps.

No. They work to simply ensure all the current going "out" on the hot lead "returns" on the neutral lead. If there is an imbalance, then this suggests some current is "leaking" through an unintended pathway (e.g., through something that should be an insulator or an unintended connection -- like a *body*).

The circuit is designed to notice small *imbalances*, not the "sizes" of the actual "out" and "return" currents.

A circuit breaker actually looks at the magnitude (size) of the current flowing through the hot lead and opens (trips) when it exceeds a threshold. It doesn't care *where* that current is going or how it is "returning". It will gladly allow current to flow through faulty insulation, warm bodies, etc. in addition to the "intended" load(s).

Bob posted for all of us...

I'll add on: NO DAGS