The Great GFI Plug Mystery (Don’t be shocked; this one comes up at home inspections all the time.)
What Is a GFI (or GFCI) Outlet?
A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFI or GFCI) protects you from electrical shock. It constantly compares the electricity going out on the hot wire to the electricity coming back on the neutral wire. If even a tiny amount of current is “leaking” (for example, through water… or through you), it trips in a fraction of a second and shuts the power off.
That’s why they’re required anywhere electricity and water might meet:
Bathrooms
Kitchens
Laundry rooms
Garages
Basements
Exterior outlets
Now here’s where the mystery begins…
The Plymouth Bathroom Mystery
After closing on a home in Plymouth, I checked in with the buyers. They love their home, but mentioned something concerning:
“The bathroom outlets aren’t GFI. There’s no reset button.” I had attended the home inspection and didn’t remember the inspector flagging that. So I pulled out the inspection report, which I always save, and we looked it over together.
The report clearly stated: The bathroom outlets are protected by functional ground fault protection.
Wait… how can that be if there’s no reset button?
The Two Types of GFCI Protection (This Is the Part Most People Don’t Know)
There are two ways a circuit can be protected:
1️⃣ GFCI Outlet (with buttons on the wall) has the TEST and RESET buttons on the face.
2️⃣ GFCI Breakers (inside the electrical panel). Sometimes the protection is located in the main electrical panel. In this case, the bathroom outlets have no buttons, but the breaker itself provides protection to the entire circuit.
So when an inspector tests the outlet with their plug-in tester, it trips even though there’s no visible reset button at the outlet.
That was the case here.
Mystery solved.
A Quick Note on Inspections
Inspectors carry a small tester that they plug into kitchen and bathroom outlets. If it trips properly, it’s considered protected, whether the protection is at the outlet or the panel.
Cape Cod & Kingston: When Replacing GFCIs Is the Right Move
Cape Cod – This inspection found that a kitchen island outlet wasn’t GFCI-protected. Even without a sink in the island, the buyer requested that it be replaced. The sellers did it.
Kingston – This inspection revealed that only some kitchen outlets were GFCI. The buyer asked for all to be upgraded for consistency and safety.
Important Seller Insight (Especially in Massachusetts)
Electrical codes evolve. Your home only had to meet code when it was built, but buyers and inspectors often evaluate homes against today’s safety standards.
Upgrading simple safety items like GFCI protection:
Shows pride of ownership
Reduces negotiation friction
Protects your family in the meantime
And yes, always consult a licensed electrician before making changes.
Takeaways
✔ Save your home inspection report.
✔ Don’t assume “no reset button” means “no protection.”
✔ If you’re selling, be proactive about GFCI protection.
A quick note: I’m not a licensed electrician, just a REALTOR® who attends many home inspections. Electrical work should always be evaluated and completed by a licensed professional. If you’re unsure about your home’s protection, consult an electrician before making changes.