Which device has the sole purpose of protecting people by interrupting current when a fault to ground is detected?

• A. Ground fault circuit interrupter
• B. Circuit breaker
• C. Fuse
• D. Surge protector

Answer: (A)

This tests protection of people from electric shock by quickly interrupting current when a ground fault is detected. A ground fault circuit interrupter monitors the current in the hot and neutral paths and trips the circuit if it senses even a small imbalance, indicating leakage to ground. This rapid interruption is specifically designed to keep people safe from shock.

Other devices focus on different goals. A circuit breaker or fuse responds to overcurrent to protect wiring from overheating, not primarily to stop a ground-leakage path to protect a person. A surge protector guards against voltage spikes to protect equipment, not to sense and interrupt leakage to ground. Therefore, the device whose sole purpose is to protect people by interrupting current during a ground fault is the ground fault circuit interrupter.