What protective device trips when current leaks to the ground?

What protective device trips when current leaks to the ground?

• A. Hydrometer
• B. Direct Current
• C. Inductance
• D. Ground fault (GFIC)

Answer: (D)

When current leaks to the ground, the path the electricity takes changes. A ground fault circuit interrupter keeps a close eye on the current flowing through the live and neutral conductors and looks for any imbalance. If some current leaks out—say, through a person or moisture to the ground—the currents in hot and neutral won’t match. The device detects that difference and quickly opens the circuit, usually within milliseconds, to reduce the risk of electric shock. This type of protection is specifically designed for ground faults, which is why a ground fault circuit interrupter is the correct choice. The other options don’t serve this purpose: a hydrometer measures moisture, direct current describes a type of electrical current, and inductance is a component that stores energy in a magnetic field. None of these act to detect and interrupt leakage to the ground.

When current leaks to the ground, the path the electricity takes changes. A ground fault circuit interrupter keeps a close eye on the current flowing through the live and neutral conductors and looks for any imbalance. If some current leaks out—say, through a person or moisture to the ground—the currents in hot and neutral won’t match. The device detects that difference and quickly opens the circuit, usually within milliseconds, to reduce the risk of electric shock.

This type of protection is specifically designed for ground faults, which is why a ground fault circuit interrupter is the correct choice. The other options don’t serve this purpose: a hydrometer measures moisture, direct current describes a type of electrical current, and inductance is a component that stores energy in a magnetic field. None of these act to detect and interrupt leakage to the ground.