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GFCI stands for ground fault circuit interruptor. It inherently works by detecting ground current; when ground current is detected above a low threshold, the GFCI will trip. Some GFCIs also may provide phase overcurrent protection (such as the two phase wires being shorted together) as well.

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It is a differential current detector.

The line (or live, phase or hot) and the neutral wires of an a.c. supply should both be carrying the same value of current. (The current comes from the generator and goes to the load through the line and neutral wires and goes back to the generator.)

If there is a difference in the in the two wires, it can only be because there is a fault which has allowed some current to flow to Earth ("ground").

As long as the two currents are equal, the interruptor stays closed. Once an imbalance is detected, the interruptor operates and disconnects the supply.

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