GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. It is an outlet that can cut off electrical current whenever it detects ground faults or leakage currents. They are noticeably different than standard outlets because they have a test and a reset button in the center. GFCIs can be seen wherever there is potential for contact between a person and the outlet. However, they are most often found near a water source (kitchens and bathrooms) and on the exterior of a structure.
GFCIs are an effective safety device for keeping your home and family members, especially kids, safe. For example, if a person’s body starts to receive a shock from the outlet, the GFCI can sense this and cut off power before the person gets severely injured.
Many in-home electrical hazards are caused by faulty, old wiring in homes and overloading older wiring with devices. The usage of power strips and plugging multiple modern devices into one outlet can overload the circuit. However, since the introduction of GFCIs in the 1970s, home electrocutions have been cut in half (electricaltechnology.com).
You may have tried to plug a device into a GFCI in your home and not gotten any electricity. GFCIs may cut off their electrical current any time they sense a potential problem. Thus, they have the test and reset buttons. If you test and reset and the electrical current isn't restored, you would want to call an electrician.
The attached video demonstrates how to reset your GFCI. Thanks for watching!