Where are GFCI receptacles protected if the receptacle is properly wired?

GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) receptacles provide protection against ground faults, which can occur when there is an unintended path for electricity to flow to the ground. When a GFCI receptacle is properly wired, it protects the outlets and devices connected downstream of it on the same circuit.

This means that any receptacles or devices that are connected after the GFCI in the circuit will benefit from the ground fault protection offered by the GFCI. Therefore, if a ground fault occurs at a downstream outlet, the GFCI will detect the fault and trip, cutting off the power to that outlet and preventing potential electric shock.

In contrast, if other options were considered, upstream would reference protection measures given before the GFCI in the circuit, which would not benefit from the GFCI’s protection. SideStream is not a valid terminology in the context of GFCI protection, and the choice of none of the above does not apply as downstream is indeed the correct and relevant context for GFCI protection.