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GFCI and RCD protection, explained

8–20 Amps120–250 VULCERoHSComponent Approvals

63

configurations

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About GFCI and RCD protection, explained

A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI), also known as a Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) or Residual Current Device (RCD) shuts off an electric power circuit when it detects current is flowing along as unintended path. Upon detecting power loss, the GFCI or RCD cable will shut the power off. We carry Auto Reset and Manually Reset GFCI devices, with the difference being what action the GFCI device takes after having been tripped. In a Manual Reset GFCI, the power will remain off until it is reset manually, while the Auto Reset will automatically turn back on after being tripped.

The plugs and connectors in this collection

What each end is, what it mates with, and where to find every cord built on it.

  • NEMA 5-15P plug

    Plug · NEMA

    NEMA 5-15P

    • 15 Amps
    • 125 volts

    On 18 of the cords here (21%)

    The NEMA 5-15P is a 3 Wire grounded plug featuring two blades (can be equal or unequal widths due to the ground pin forcing polarity) and one ground pin rated up to 125V AC and 15 Amps. The NEMA 5-15P is your standard household plug used for to connect small appliances such as TV's, Microwaves, hairdryers, etc to a wall outlet. The NEMA 5-15P is compatible with a Nema 5-20R T-Slot outlet, which is commonly found in new home installations.

    Mates with NEMA 5-15R Outlet

    Shop all 15A 125V NEMA 5-15P Power Cords →
  • NEMA L6-15P plug

    Plug · NEMA

    NEMA L6-15P

    • 15 Amps
    • 250 volts

    On 12 of the cords here (14%)

    The NEMA L6-15P is a 3 Wire 3 Blade grounded wiring device rated up to 250V AC and 15 Amps.

    Mates with NEMA L6-15R Outlet

    Shop all 15A 125V NEMA L6-15P Twist-Lock Power Cords →
  • NEMA L6-20P plug

    Plug · NEMA

    NEMA L6-20P

    • 20 Amps
    • 250 volts

    On 9 of the cords here (11%)

    THE NEMA L6-20P is a 3 Wire 3 Blade grounded device with hot-hot-ground wiring and is rated up to 250V AC and 20 Amps.

    Mates with NEMA L6-20R Outlet

    Shop all 20A 250V NEMA L6-20P Twist-Lock Power Cords →
  • European Schuko CEE7/7 - Straight plug

    Plug · International

    European Schuko CEE7/7 - Straight

    • 16 Amps
    • 250 volts

    On 8 of the cords here (10%)

    The plug (MALE) is a Type F Schuko CEE7/7. It fits both E (France) and F (European / Germany) type outlets (sockets). Available in straight or down/up angle orientation. The plug has two round pins (line and neutral) each 4.8 mm diameter, 19 mm long and spaced 19 mm apart. The plug also has two flat areas (top and bottom sides) and a female contact for the ground.

    Mates with Schuko CEE7/7 Outlet

    Shop all International IEC Type E, F and E/F →
  • NEMA 5-15P Manual Reset GFCI Plug Head

    Plug · GFCI

    NEMA 5-15P Manual Reset GFCI Plug Head

    • 15 Amps
    • 125 volts

    On 8 of the cords here (10%)

    Mates with NEMA 5-15R Outlet

    Shop all Plug Head GFCI →

About GFCI and RCD protection, explained

A ground-fault circuit interrupter compares the current leaving on the hot conductor with the current returning on the neutral. If they differ — because some of it is going through a person or through water to earth — it opens the circuit in a few milliseconds. In North America the device is a GFCI and trips at 4–6 mA (UL 943, Class A); in IEC countries the same idea is a residual current device, RCD, and the portable ones trip at 10 mA or 30 mA. Neither one is a fuse: they do nothing about overload, only about current taking the wrong path.

Where the protection sits is the practical choice. In the plug head: the whole cord downstream is protected, the TEST / RESET buttons are at the wall. In-line: a module partway down the cord, reachable at the machine. Rewireable (user-attachable): you fit the GFCI to your own cable. Manual reset stays off after a trip or a power cut until someone presses RESET — the choice for tools that must not restart by themselves. Automatic reset comes back when power returns — the choice for freezers and pumps that must not stay dead.

GFCI.com is a World Cord Sets education site. The guides explain; the cords are sold on worldcordsets.com, and every product page there links back to the guide that explains it.

Current rating

8–20 Amps

Voltage rating

120–250 V

Certifications & compliance

  • UL
  • CE
  • RoHS
  • Component Approvals
  • Every cord we build is hi-pot tested
  • Same-day shipping by 2:30 PM ET
  • NET 30/60/90 for approved accounts
  • In-house engineering and compliance support

Frequently asked questions

What certifications do these power cords carry?
UL and cUL-listed cord sets across the catalog, with 30+ international approval marks (VDE, ENEC, PSE, SAA, CCC, KC and more) on country-specific cords. The approvals each part carries are listed on its product page; documentation is available from sales.
Do you require a minimum order quantity?
No. We sell from 1 cord to 100,000. Volume discounts apply automatically at quantity breaks — you'll see pricing tiers on every product page.
Can I get a custom length or color?
Yes. Custom lengths and non-standard colors are hand-terminated in our Connecticut shop — typically 3–4 business days from in-stock components. Call (860) 763-2100 or submit a quote request with your specs.
How fast does this ship?
In-stock orders placed by 2:30 PM ET ship the same day via FedEx or UPS. All standard configurations are stocked in East Windsor, CT.