What type of circuit breaker is designed to protect against ground faults?

The Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) is specifically designed to protect against ground faults, which occur when there is an unintended path for electrical current to flow to the ground. This can happen due to damaged wiring, worn-out devices, or faulty appliances. GFCIs monitor the current flowing through a circuit and can detect imbalance between the outgoing and incoming current. If a ground fault is detected, the GFCI quickly interrupts the circuit, cutting off power to prevent electrical shock or electrocution.

In contrast, standard circuit breakers and fused circuit breakers offer protection against overloads and short circuits, but they do not provide ground fault protection. Surge protectors, on the other hand, are designed to protect electrical devices from voltage spikes, rather than to prevent ground faults. Therefore, the GFCI is the correct choice for protection against ground faults.