Which type of fault does a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) specifically protect against?

A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) specifically protects against ground faults, which occur when electricity travels through an unintended path to the ground. This type of fault can happen, for example, if a person accidentally comes into contact with a live conductor, leading to a potentially dangerous situation. GFCIs are designed to detect these ground faults by monitoring the electrical current; if there is an imbalance, indicating that some current is leaking to the ground, the GFCI will quickly disconnect the circuit to prevent shock or electrocution.

The other options, while related to electrical safety and fault conditions, do not specifically involve the function of a GFCI. Short circuits occur when a current bypasses the normal load, open circuits involve a break in the continuity of a circuit, and overloads happen when a circuit carries more current than it is designed for. None of these conditions are the focus of a GFCI’s protective capabilities.