GFCI and AFCI Outlet Services in Birmingham, AL

GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets and AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets help to protect your home and family. These typically come standard in new homes, to varying degrees. Many homes have GFCI outlets near sources of water in order to protect from electrical shock, but older homes may not. Some homes have AFCI breakers in the service panel, while other homes have no AFCI outlets at all.

Do you know if your home has adequate protection from electrical fires or the dangers of electrical shock? We can help you find out if your home is safe and to upgrade your electrical outlets as needed. Douglas Cooling & Heating installs, replaces, repairs and maintains electrical systems in Birmingham, AL, and we provide excellent customer service on top of that.

Get your GFCI and AFCI outlets from Douglas Cooling & Heating, serving Birmingham, AL and the surrounding areas since 1972.

GFCI Outlets

The main function of a GFCI outlet is to protect you from ground faults, which could cause burns or electric shock. The basic function of a GFCI outlet is to detect when the outlet is putting out more electricity than it is getting. This means that electricity must be moving through another source—an unintended path such as a person. It immediately shuts off the circuit when it senses this disturbance, and you will have to reset it using a manual reset button. These receptacles are important in any area where there may be water and, therefore, an increased chance of a current traveling. This includes bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms and garages.

AFCI Outlets

AFCI outlets are not the same as GFCI, but they can exist together for the same circuit. An AFCI outlet protects from fire, as an arc fault in a wire can be extremely hot, allowing nearby building materials to ignite and catch fire. AFCI outlets are not required to be on all outlets, because an AFCI outlet on one branch circuit can protect all of the circuits connected.

An AFCI breaker is another option, with which you’ll have to shut off the power at the main breaker box if the AFCI breaker is tripped rather than pressing a reset button. You may choose an AFCI outlet instead of an AFCI breaker because these work with all types of wiring and electrical panels, and due to the ease of using the reset button.

Call Us for Electrical Services in Birmingham, AL

Looking for greater protection for your home’s electrical system? Get in touch with the electricians on our team. We’ve got a staff of friendly professionals ready to help you assess your home’s needs and decide on a course of action for better electrical safety in your home in Birmingham, AL or a surrounding area.

Douglas Cooling & Heating has master electricians on staff who offer excellence in their craft, as well as customer service that goes above and beyond. We are committed to changing the way you think about home services through fair upfront pricing, reliability and work that stands the test of time. Call our friendly office staff today to get started!