The GFCI outlet protects electrical wiring and receptacles from overheating and possible fire, greatly minimizing the risk of shock injuries and fatal burns. A residual-current device (RCD), residual-current circuit breaker (RCCB) or ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is an electrical safety device that quickly breaks an electrical circuit with leakage current to ground. It is to protect equipment and to reduce the risk of serious harm from an ongoing electric shock. Injury may still occur in some cases, for example if a human receives a brief shock before the electrical circuit is isolated, falls after receiving a shock, or if the person touches both conductors at the same time. How can you tell if an outlet is GFCI? If you notice that the red button is already all the way in but still there is no power to the GFCI or even the outlets connecting to it, try to push the black button to test it and by doing this the red button should be able to pop up. If it still does not pop up, that means the GFCI is faulty. What is a GFCI outlet and do I need one? A ground-fault circuit interrupter or a GFCI outlet is an outlet that helps protect people from electrical shock. Unlike traditional outlets GFCI outlets are extremely sensitive to changes in current, adding more protection. How much does it cost to replace a GFCI outlet? The average cost to replace an electrical outlet with a GFCI model ranges from $130 to just over $200. A number of factors can impact the cost of outlet replacement, including the quality of the wiring and the complexity of the project. What is the purpose of a GFCI outlet? The purpose of a GFCI outlet is to trip the electrical circuit when it detects ground faults or current leakage. In other words, the outlet instantly shuts off when exposed to water, thus preventing potentially deadly electric shock.