Is a GFCI considered an overcurrent device?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Sometimes
• D. Only on DC circuits

Answer: (B)

A GFCI is designed for ground-fault protection, not for stopping overcurrent. It works by monitoring the current in the hot and neutral conductors and trips when there’s an imbalance—indicating current leaking to ground. This protects people from electric shock, especially in wet locations. Overcurrent protection, on the other hand, responds to excessive current from a short circuit or overload and is provided by devices like fuses or circuit breakers. So a standard GFCI by itself is not an overcurrent device. (There are GFCI breakers that combine both functions, but a GFCI receptacle alone is focused on ground-fault protection.)