Four devices that help provide outdoor electrical safety: Circuit breakers or fuses protect against overcurrent conditions that could result in potential fire and shock hazards.Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCls) protect against potentially lethal shock when they detect even minute, but potentially dangerous ground faults, or "leaks" of electrical current from the circuit. GFCIs may be incorporated into circuit breakers protecting the entire circuit, outlets protecting everything on the circuit downstream from the GFCI outlet, or as portable devices that can be used at an outlet to give protection for a particular electrical item. Three-pronged plugs and outlets, and polarized plugs and outlets offer enhanced protection against potential shock when provided on specific products. These measures should never be circumvented by sawing or breaking off the third prong or attempting to widen an outlet slot. Arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCls) are relatively new devices that protect against fires caused by the effects of unwanted electrical arcing in wiring. An AFCI will de-energize the circuit when an arc fault is detected. Electrical wiring in buildings with areas exposed to the outdoors, including circuits in garages, porches, patios and storage areas, could benefit from the additional electrical fire prevention features of AFCI devices when incorporated in the branch circuitry.
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