Home Improvement Skills & Specialties Electrical Wiring & Circuits

GFCI Receptacle vs. GFCI Circuit Breaker

When to Use Receptacles and Breakers for Electrical Safety

What will protect you best from experiencing shock in the event of a ground fault—a GFCI breaker vs. an outlet or both installed together? It depends. However, the National Electric Code (NEC) and all local building codes require GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) protection for many outlet receptacles throughout the house and in outdoor locations, specifically in places where there is a high level of moisture.

GFCI Receptacle vs. Circuit Breaker

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These requirements exist to protect users against the possibility of shock in the event of a ground fault, a condition in which electrical current accidentally flows outside the established circuit. This protection is generally required wherever an outlet is in proximity to the earth or to water sources that can create a direct path to earth.

This required protection can be provided either by a GFCI circuit breaker or GFCI receptacles. There are advantages and disadvantages to each approach, depending on the installation. Also, keep in mind that the local electrical code—the rules you must follow to pass electrical inspections—may have specific requirements for how to provide GFCI protection in your jurisdiction.

Basically, a GFCI circuit breaker does the same thing as a GFCI receptacle, so making the correct choice requires that you weigh the various advantages and disadvantages of each.

What Is a GFCI Receptacle?

You can tell if a receptacle is a GFCI one or not by the way it looks. The GFCI is integrated into an electrical outlet and it typically has a red (or possibly white) reset button on the outlet's faceplate. The outlet monitors how much energy is going into it when in use. If the receptacle senses any sort of an electrical overload or imbalance, it is designed to trip the circuit in a fraction of a second and the small reset button will pop indicating the electricity is no longer flowing.

GFCI receptacles are generally used instead of a standard outlet receptacle to offer protection to a single outlet location. However, GFCI receptacles can be wired in two different ways to offer two different levels of protection:

  • Single-location: Single-location protection offers GFCI protection only at one receptacle. Resetting a single receptacle is typically more convenient than going all the way to the service panel to reset a breaker.
  • Multiple-location: Multiple-location wiring protects the first GFCI receptacle and every receptacle downstream of it (including standard receptacles) in the same circuit. However, it does not protect the portion of the circuit that lies between itself and the main service panel. For example, if the GFCI receptacle wired for multiple-location protection is the fourth receptacle in a circuit that includes seven outlets, then the first three outlets will not be protected. Also, if there is any wiring issue downstream, you will have to backtrack to find the GFCI receptacle to reset it.
GFCI white receptacle on white wall closeup

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What Is a GFCI Circuit Breaker?

GFCI circuit breakers protect the entire circuit. GFCI circuit breakers are simple: By installing one in the service panel (breaker box), it adds GFCI protection to an entire circuit, including the wiring and all devices and appliances connected to the circuit. In cases where AFCI (arc-fault circuit interrupter) protection is also called for (an increasingly common scenario), there are dual-function GFCI/AFCI circuit breakers that can be used.

GFCI circuit breakers make more practical sense in situations where all outlets on a circuit require protection. For example, let's say you're adding a receptacle circuit for a garage workshop or a large outdoor patio space. Because all of these receptacles require GFCI protection, it is probably more efficient to wire the circuit with a GFCI breaker so that everything on the circuit is protected. GFCI breakers can carry a high cost, though, so doing this is not always the more economical option. Alternatively, you could install a GFCI outlet in the first outlet on the circuit to provide the same protection at a lower cost.

GFCI circuit breaker held up by hand in front of electrical wiring

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When to Choose a GFCI Receptacle Over a GFCI Circuit Breaker

  • Resetting: When a GFCI breaker trips, you must go to the service panel to reset it. When a GFCI receptacle trips, you must be able to reset it at the receptacle location. The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires that GFCI receptacles must be in readily accessible locations, ensuring there is easy access for resetting the receptacle if it trips. Therefore, GFCI receptacles are not allowed behind furniture or appliances. If you will have receptacles that need GFCI protection in these locations, use a GFCI breaker.
  • Installation: GFCI receptacles are easier to install and they're more efficient. If you need GFCI protection for just one or two receptacles—say, for a bathroom or laundry room—it probably makes the most sense to simply install GFCI receptacles at those locations. Also, if you're a DIYer and are not familiar with working on a service panel, replacing a receptacle is a simpler and safer job than replacing a circuit breaker.
  • Size: GFCI receptacles have much larger bodies than standard receptacles, so in some instances, the physical space within the wall box may affect your choice. With standard-size boxes, there may not be enough room to add a GFCI receptacle safely, making a GFCI circuit breaker the better choice.
  • Cost: A GFCI receptacle can cost around $15. A GFCI breaker might cost you $40 or $50, versus $4 to $6 for a standard breaker. If money is an issue and you only need to protect a single location, a GFCI outlet might be a better choice than a GFCI breaker.
  • Electrical code: The local electrical code may have particular GFCI requirements that differ from those suggested by the NEC. Consult your local building code department for details.
GFCI Receptacle
  • Install in basement, near pool or spa, utility room, attached garage, and outdoors

  • Do not install behind furniture

  • Do not install behind refrigerators, freezers, or other appliances

GFCI Circuit Breaker
  • Install in easy-to-service area

  • Install in main service panel or a sub-panel

  • Best for uses with jacuzzi tubs since protection device should not be under the tub.


FAQ
  • When should you not use a GFCI breaker?

    If you only have a few outlets around your home in the kitchen and bathroom to protect, you do not need to use a GFCI circuit breaker.

  • Can you have a GFCI breaker and outlet together?

    It is unnecessary to install a GFCI breaker and GFCI outlet on the same circuit. This type of double protection may make an electrical system behave erratically and unpredictably.

  • Should I put a GFCI on every outlet?

    Installing a GFCI on every outlet is unnecessary. Avoid using GFCI for lights because if the circuit trips, you will be in the dark. In addition, GFCI outlets are really only meant for areas where electricity and water may come into contact by accident.

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  1. NEC Requirements for Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (CFCI). Electrical Construction & Maintenance.