What device is designed to deenergize a circuit when a current to ground exceeds predetermined values?

A ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is specifically designed to protect against electrical shock by detecting ground faults, which occur when electrical current leaks from the intended circuit. When the device senses that the current flowing to the ground exceeds set thresholds, it quickly cuts off power to the circuit. This rapid response is crucial for preventing potentially dangerous situations, such as electric shock or fires, that can arise from faults in electrical equipment or wiring.

In contrast, while electrical breakers serve to interrupt circuits to prevent overcurrent conditions, they do not specifically target ground faults. Surge protectors are designed to safeguard against voltage spikes rather than detecting ground faults. Differential relays, though used in some protection schemes, do not serve the same purpose and are not specifically meant to deenergize a circuit due to ground faults. Thus, the ground-fault circuit interrupter is uniquely positioned to address ground fault conditions effectively.