ABYC Marine Electrical Practice Exam

A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) is designed to enhance electrical safety, particularly in wet or potentially hazardous areas, by quickly cutting off electrical power when a ground fault is detected. The typical trip level for a GFCI is set at 5 milliamps (mA). When a current leakage of 5 mA or more occurs—indicating that some electrical current is straying from its intended path, possibly through a person— the GFCI will trip, helping to prevent electric shock. Understanding the trip level is crucial for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of GFCI devices. While GFCI devices can sometimes adhere to standards with trip levels like 10 mA, the standard for personal protection is often recognized at the 5 mA threshold. Other levels, such as 15 mA and 20 mA, might be relevant in specific contexts but do not conform to the primary function of providing immediate protection against electric shock, which is why 5 mA is the most commonly recognized and utilized level.