I prefer breakers. They protect the entire circuit, start to finish.

A GFCI outlet will protect that specific outlet plus other outets further down stream from the GFCI outlet, even if they are not GFCI.

The downside? GFCI's should be tested on a monthly basis. Are they? Besides me, I don't know anyone who has EVER tested one, and I might test them every 4 months or so. If you have a breaker you have to do that from the service panel. If you have an outlet, you can do it at the outlet.

If the GFCI does trip, you can reset the outlet at the outlet. With the breaker you have to go to the service panel.

Still, I prefer breakers to protect EVERYTHING on the circuit. Outlets, lights, future work, someone swaping out the GFCI outlet for a regular outlet without knowing any better, etc.

A circuit breaker and a GFI are 2 different animals. A GFI is used to protect you from a possible electric shock. It is tripped by a leakage of current from the Hot (small slot) to ground----say you grabbed the hair drier with wet hands and wet feet---you are providing the "ground" OUCH!!! but the GFI will trip and protect you. It will not trip if there is excess current between the hot and Neutral(Large slot in receptacle)----That job is for the circuit breaker----The breaker wont trip, however, if there is a small current leakage, like say from you to ground.
So You really meed both, The circuit breaker to protect the house and the GFI to protect YOU!!!!!!

Gary

Dodge,
There are these animals called GFCI circuit breakers. They work just like a GFCI outlet but as Mongo states, there are pros and cons to either approach. If your breaker is within the house, then resetting is not a problem. They cost about the same thing as the cost of breaker and a GFCI outlet.

Good luck!

Thanks for that, homepro01. Do they actually make GFI's that will trip if there is excess current between "Hot & Neutral"?if so, I will look for them when we are redoing bathroom outlets.

Gary

Thanks for all the info!

I may not have made myself clear- but Mongo got it. I realize that I have breakers on the panel, but DH was considering getting a GFCI circuit breaker (he has one for the outside plugs, as he has more than one). But, turns out that type of breaker is $70 and the plug outlet only ~$20, so he went with the outlet.

I had no idea you are supposed to test the GFCI breaker and or plug - I found this info on the net- now I have to go test all my GFCI (I Never used to use the 'C' either- learning lots today!)

All GFCIs should be tested once a month to make sure they are working properly and are protecting you from fatal shock. GFCIs should be tested after installation to make sure they are working properly and protecting the circuit.

To test the receptacle GFCI, first plug a nightlight or lamp into the outlet. The light should be on Then, press the "TEST" button on the GFCI. The GFCI's "RESET" button should pop out, and the light should go out.

If the "RESET" button pops out but the light does not go out, the GFCI has been improperly wired. Contact an electrician to correct the wiring errors.

If the "RESET" button does not pop out, the GFC1 is defective and should be replaced.

If the GFCI is functioning properly, and the lamp goes out, press the "RESET" button to restore power to the outlet.

Our air bath required the GFCI *breaker*, but our little whirlpool only asked for the GFCI outlet. We have utilized both. And, Mongo, I tend to test mine, and I am pretty sure DH does too... just a little neurotic we are :-)

For a DIY'er in general, comfort level with electrical should be the guide as well.

DH here is an electrical engineer too, funnily enough, he too must make multiple trips to HD to buy one item at a time- for a minute I was wondering if that was my post as I read your initial post!!!