Growing Tip:
What is a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (Ground Fault Circuit Interupt) ?
-- Cultivation of Marihuana Factoid

A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (Ground Fault Circuit Interupt) is a contraption to protect against electric shock should someone come in contact with a live (Hot) wire and a path to ground which would result in a current through his/her body.

The Ground Fault Circuit Interupt will trip in a fraction of a second at currents (a few mA) well below those that are considered dangerous. Note that a Ground Fault Circuit Interupt is NOT a substitute for a fuse or circuit breaker as these contraptions are still required to protect equipment and property from overloads or short circuits that can result in fire or other damage.

Ground Fault Circuit Interupts can be installed in place of ordinary outlets in which case they protect that outlet as well as any downstream from it. There are also Ground Fault Circuit Interupts that install in the main service panel