GFCI Breaker vs. Outlet: What’s the Difference?

Learning about your home’s electrical systems is powerful (pun intended), and knowing the difference between a GFCI breaker vs. outlet can ensure you pick the right one to protect your home from electrical shocks, fires, injuries, or damage. Below we’ve broken down all of the nuances between GFCI breakers vs. outlets so you can figure out which one suits your electrical needs more.

What Is a GFCI Breaker?

GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) breakers monitor the electrical current that runs throughout your entire home and shut off power once they detect a sudden drop in electrical current. This safety measure prevents dangerous electrical effects such as shocks, electrocutions, electrical fires, injuries, and deaths. GFCI breakers shut off power to all appliances and outlets in a fraction of a second in the event of a ground surge.

What Is a GFCI Outlet?

GFCI outlets are required in rooms with high moisture, such as bathrooms, garages, and kitchens. They also protect you and your home from ground surges and electrical shocks by cutting off power to the outlet when there’s a quick drop in the electrical current. Unlike GFCI breakers, GFCI outlets only cut off power to the individual outlet instead of power to the entire house. 

What Are the Major Differences Between GFCI Breakers and GFCI Outlets?

Although their purpose is the same, GFCI breakers and outlets have differences in several categories.

How to Choose Between a GFCI Breaker vs. Outlet

The type of protection you select for your home will depend on the needs of your home and whether you prefer to spend more upfront for full-home protection or want a few key receptacles installed in your space. 

Location

GFCI circuit breakers are installed in your main electrical panel and typically found in your garage, basement, or utility room. On the other hand, GFCI outlets are located in individual rooms such as kitchens or bathrooms. You can also place them outdoors or in other areas where high moisture is prevalent. Some homeowners may prefer a GFCI outlet because they have a reset button right on the receptacle, whereas resetting a GFCI breaker requires resetting the flipped breaker. 

Appearance

Unlike ordinary outlets, GFCI outlets have larger bodies, and you will need to measure the space within your wallbox to determine whether a GFCI outlet will fit. If it becomes too much hassle, you may be better off installing a GFCI circuit breaker. 

Cost 

The cost to install a GFCI outlet is about $120 on average if your local licensed electrician installs it for you. If you have prior electrical experience, you can expect to pay between $7 and $25 for the outlet itself. A GFCI breaker, on the other hand, will cost anywhere from $300 to $360 for professional installation. 

Installation 

If you’re looking for ease and convenience, GFCI outlets require the least amount of work to install, but still require hiring a local electrician. This is especially true if you only need a handful of outlets installed versus one or two in every room. Note that the National Electrical Code (NEC) requires that GFCI receptacles are installed in easily accessible areas, so they cannot be put behind furniture or appliances.