If you’ve ever wondered why some outlets in your home have little “test” and “reset” buttons, or why newer homes seem to come packed with different types of breakers, you’re not alone. Most homeowners have heard of GFCIs and AFCIs, but very few actually know what they do or why they matter.
The short answer?
They’re two of the most important safety devices in your entire electrical system — and each one protects your home in a completely different way.
Let’s break it down in a way that actually makes sense.
A GFCI, or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, is the outlet you usually see in places where water is nearby — bathrooms, kitchens, garages, outside, and laundry rooms. Its whole job is to protect you from getting shocked.
The moment it senses electricity going somewhere it shouldn’t (like through a person), it shuts off instantly. We’re talking fractions of a second. This is why GFCIs are now required by code in all the “wet” parts of a house. Even homes built 10–15 years ago often don’t have enough of them, so upgrades are pretty common.
An AFCI, or Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter, handles a totally different problem — electrical fires.
Arc faults happen when a wire becomes damaged or loose and electricity starts “jumping” through the air. It creates a ton of heat and can start a fire inside the walls long before anyone notices. AFCIs can sense that arcing and kill the power before anything dangerous happens.
These are required now in most living areas: bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, and so on. If your home is older, there’s a good chance you don’t have them at all.
Here’s the simplest way to remember:
One keeps people safe.
One keeps houses safe.
And together, they cover most of the major risks in a home’s electrical system.
There’s no “better” one — they’re designed to work together, not replace each other.
Most homeowners do, especially if your house was built before the latest electrical codes were adopted. Even homes from the early 2000s are missing AFCIs in places where they’re now required.
If you’ve ever noticed things like:
…it’s worth having them checked. These small devices do a lot behind the scenes, and when they start failing, they usually give off warning signs.
Electrical protection isn’t just about preventing disasters — it’s about avoiding the small problems that eventually turn into big ones. A simple outlet swap or breaker upgrade can make your home much safer, especially in older neighborhoods around CDA, Post Falls, Hayden, and the surrounding areas.
If you’re not sure what your home currently has, or whether you’re up to code, it’s a quick thing for us to look at. Most homeowners are surprised by how outdated their safety devices actually are once we take a look.
If you’re wondering whether your home’s outlets and breakers are doing their job, we can take a look and point you in the right direction. No pressure, no upselling — just making sure things are safe and up to date.