Final answer:
GFCI devices are designed to protect against electric shock by interrupting the flow of electrical current when a fault is detected, such as unintended current paths. They are required in residential spaces where water contact is possible or where someone might touch an energized part and ground.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question 'All 15- and 20-amp 120-volt circuits for dining rooms, living rooms, bedrooms, sun rooms, closets, hallways, and similar areas in a home must be _______ protected' is A) Ground-fault. This type of protection is afforded by the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI), which is designed to prevent shock hazards by interrupting the flow of electrical current when a fault is detected, such as when electricity is flowing along an unintended path.
for example, through a person's body. GFCI devices are important safety measures in areas of a home where electrical circuits may come into contact with water or where a person might touch an energized part and ground simultaneously. Circuit breakers and fuses are fundamental to a home's electrical safety, interrupting power in the event of excessive current to prevent thermal hazards and potential electrical fires.
For day-to-day appliances like a toaster or a refrigerator, ratings in amperes on circuit breakers should correspond to the maximum amount of current they can handle without tripping, thereby preventing overloading and possible damage to the electrical system and appliances. While circuit breakers stop large currents, GFCIs are specifically designed to protect against electric shock.