Which of the following statements correctly describes the protection requirement for temporary receptacles on construction sites?

• A. Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter
• B. Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter
• C. Insulation-Driven Circuit Interrupter
• D. None of these

Answer: (A)

Temporary receptacles on construction sites must have Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter protection. This is because construction environments are often wet or damp and involve damaged cords or tools, which increases the risk of a path for stray current to ground. A GFCI monitors the current in the hot and neutral, and if it detects even a small imbalance (a ground fault), it trips quickly to cut power and reduce the chance of a severe shock. Arc-Fault Interrupters protect mainly against fires from arcing, not the immediate shock hazards to people, and an insulation-driven interrupter isn’t a standard protection used for these receptacles. So the correct protection is GFCI.