gfci vs surge protector?

[shista]

hi everyone... i was at home depot yesterday looking for some gfci plug in outlets... i came upon some surge protectors that have a light for grounding and a light for protecting.... does anyone know if a surge protector has the same purpose as a GFCI outlet? on the back i thing it said response time >1 nanosecond...

 

[bang guy]

different purpose. Surge protection will protect equipment from spikes in the electrical circuit. GFCI will protect YOU from becomming part of a circuit to ground.
If any electritions want to correct me it will not hurt my feelings!

 

[acrylic51]

Not an electrician Bang, but you are correct.......

 

[2quills]

No argument from me either. Surge protectors are for protecting equipment and GFCI's are for personal protection against shock hazard. Which in rare cases could be potentially fatal for some. I see no reason why both options couldn't be employed.

 

[shista]

ok,, thanks everyone

 

[smallreef]

and you may want to spend the extra $9 for a GFCI plug in checker... I have had people think they followed the diagram to install it right and it was wrong.. so if you are going to install more than 1 (or work in other peoples houses) its well worth it