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Spinoff story
Shock Prevention
A real-world story of NASA technology finding a life beyond the mission.
About this technology
Overview
Shocks due to defective wiring in home appliances or other electrical equipment can cause severe burns, even death. As a result, SCI Systems, Inc. developed the Ground Fault Interrupters (GFI) which are now required in all newly constructed homes. Tiny sensor measures strength of electrical current and detects current differentials that indicate a fault in functioning of an electrical system. Sensing element then triggers a signal to disconnect mechanism in the GFI which cuts off current in faulty circuit.