What type of breakers are required for use in wet locations?

The requirement for using GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) breakers in wet locations stems from their design and function in preventing electrical hazards. GFCI breakers are specifically engineered to protect against ground faults, which occur when there is an unintended path between the source of current and the grounded surface. These faults can happen more frequently in wet environments where moisture may facilitate the flow of electrical current to unintended paths, increasing the risk of electric shock or electrocution.

In areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor installations where moisture is prevalent, GFCI breakers are particularly essential. They continuously monitor the current flowing through the circuit and can detect even slight imbalances—typically as low as 4 to 6 milliamps. If they sense this difference, indicating that current is leaking to ground, they will cut off the electrical supply very quickly to mitigate risks, usually within 1/40th of a second.

While other types of breakers exist, such as AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters), which protect against arc faults typically in dry locations, or other variants such as GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter) which may be synonymous with GFCI but not specifically mentioned in the National Electrical Code (NEC),