Certified Facility Manager (CFM) Practice Exam

Which of the following provides a much higher level of protection than a standard circuit breaker?

1. fuse

2. surge protector

3. ground fault circuit interrupter

4. voltage regulator

The correct answer is: ground fault circuit interrupter

A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) provides a much higher level of protection compared to a standard circuit breaker because it is specifically designed to protect against electrical shock from ground faults. While circuit breakers help prevent overloads and short circuits, they do not necessarily detect ground faults, which occur when there is an unintended path for electricity to flow to the ground. GFCIs continuously monitor the current flowing in and out of a circuit; if they detect an imbalance, indicating a ground fault, they can quickly cut off the power, significantly reducing the risk of electric shock or electrocution. This functionality is particularly important in areas where electrical systems are exposed to moisture, such as bathrooms and kitchens, making GFCIs crucial for safety in residential and commercial settings. Other devices mentioned, like fuses, surge protectors, and voltage regulators, serve different purposes related to circuit protection, load management, and voltage stabilization, but they do not specifically mitigate the risk of ground faults in the same way that GFCIs do.