True or False: An equipment grounding conductor is required for a ground-fault circuit interrupter to operate.

A ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is designed to protect individuals from electrical shock by monitoring the electrical current flowing through the circuit and cutting off the power if it detects an imbalance between the outgoing and incoming current. The operation of a GFCI relies on the detection of the differential current rather than on a direct grounding path provided by an equipment grounding conductor.

While an equipment grounding conductor can contribute to the overall safety of an electrical system and offer a path for fault currents, it is not a prerequisite for a GFCI to function properly. GFCIs can operate independently of an equipment grounding conductor, making them effective in environments where such conductors may not be present, like older installations.

This understanding highlights that the circuit interrupter's essential operation mechanism centers on its ability to sense ground faults through current imbalances without needing a grounding conductor for function.