What is the purpose of a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter)?

A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) is specifically designed to protect individuals from electrical shock, particularly in areas where water is present, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor locations. Its primary function is to detect any imbalance between incoming and outgoing electrical currents in a circuit. When the GFCI senses a ground fault, such as when electricity is leaking into the ground (which could happen if a person were to come into contact with the live wire), it rapidly cuts off the power to prevent serious injury or fatality.

This critical safety feature is why the purpose of a GFCI is outlined in option C. The other choices relate to different functions but do not accurately describe the GFCI's role in providing safety from electrical shocks. For instance, the resistance against high voltage, prevention of wire overheating, and voltage regulation are concerns typically handled by other electrical devices or systems, such as circuit breakers or voltage regulators, but they do not address the specific need for shock protection in potentially hazardous wet environments that GFCIs are designed for.