What's the Difference Between AFCI and GFCI Outlets?

By Hannah Stephens

September 10, 2024

Many of the acronyms used by electricians to describe the mysteries of your electrical system can sound like a whole new language. Still, there are certain terms every homeowner should understand. When it comes to electrical safety, knowing the difference between AFCI and GFCI outlets could prevent house fires and even save your life.

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AFCI Vs. GFCI: What's the Difference?

Arc-fault circuit interrupters and ground-fault circuit interrupters provide protection against different types of electrical accidents. The National Electrical Code states where to install each type of outlet to improve safety.

What Is an Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter Outlet?

AFCI outlets are designed to detect electrical disruption in a circuit to prevent fires. Electrical disruption can occur when connections inside a circuit become damaged, causing electricity to jump or "arc" across the gap. For example, damaged wire insulation can make arcing more likely. When this happens, the circuit can overheat, potentially leading to melted components and electrical fires.

While arcing sometimes causes a popping or sizzling sound when you switch an outlet on, you may not notice the signs until the faulty wire ignites the materials surrounding it and starts a fire. An AFCI outlet stops this from happening by shutting off the circuit when it detects arcing.

What Is a Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter Outlet?

GFCI outlets reduce the risk of electric shocks by monitoring the current flowing in and out of the outlet. An imbalanced current could indicate electricity flowing into a human being, water or another electrical conductor.

When it detects an imbalance, a GFCI outlet shuts the circuit down to stop electricity from flowing somewhere it shouldn't. Shutting off the circuit quickly reduces the chances of receiving a fatal shock if you touch an object with electricity flowing through it, such as the outside of an appliance or your home's electrical box.

The primary difference between AFCI vs. GFCI outlets is that they prevent different faults. Neither outlet type is superior to the other. The most important thing is to install these outlets in the correct locations in your electrical system.

Keep in mind that you can also install AFCI and GFCI protection in the form of breakers in your circuit box. AFCI and GFCI breakers prevent electrical accidents throughout an entire circuit.

Where Are AFCI Outlets Required?

According to the Electrical Safety Foundation, the protection of AFCI technology is necessary in most rooms of your home. You should install AFCI outlets in the following areas:

Bedrooms
Kitchens
Closets
Living rooms
Laundry rooms
Family rooms
Recreational rooms

If you live in an older home and haven't updated your electrical system recently, your house may lack AFCI outlets. While new builds must have AFCI protection per the National Electrical Code, homeowners don't have to retrofit AFCI outlets or breakers in older properties.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that AFCI protection can prevent around 50% of electrical fires. Therefore, it's worth hiring a licensed electrician to inspect your system and upgrade your outlets if necessary.

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Where Should You Install GFCI Outlets?

You're more likely to experience an electric shock in wet areas of your home. Without the current GFCI requirements, the ESFI estimates that electrocutions would increase by around 603%, highlighting the importance of GFCI protection in rooms where water and electricity could mix.

Areas where you should install GFCI protection include:

Outdoor outlets
Bathrooms
Garages
Swimming pools and hot tubs
Kitchens
Unfinished basements
Crawl spaces
Around sinks
Laundry rooms
Sump pumps

Like AFCI outlets, older homes may not have GFCI protection. An electrician can check your electrical system for GFCI outlets and breakers and retrofit them if needed.

As you might have noticed, some areas of your home require both AFCI and GFCI protection. A licensed electrician can install GFCI and AFCI protection on the same circuit to provide dual protection against electrical fires and electric shocks.

Alternatively, you could choose to install combination arc-fault circuit interrupter breakers. These components provide protection against series arcs and are available as combination CAFCI/GFCI breakers. Installing CAFCI/GFCI protection minimizes the risk of fires and electrocution, although you can't purchase CAFCI/GFCI outlets.

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