Which type of circuit protection device is often used to prevent ground faults?

The Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) is specifically designed to protect against ground faults, making it the correct choice for this question. A ground fault occurs when there is an unintended path between the source of current and the ground, which can pose a serious safety risk, especially in wet or damp locations such as bathrooms and kitchens.

GFCIs monitor the current flowing through a circuit and can detect imbalances between the incoming and outgoing current. If they detect a difference, indicating a potential ground fault, they automatically cut off the electricity to reduce the risk of electric shock or fire. This makes GFCIs essential in settings where increased safety is required due to the risk of ground-related hazards.

The other types of circuit protection devices serve different purposes. Fuses are designed to protect circuits from overcurrent conditions by melting and breaking the circuit when the current exceeds a predetermined level, but they do not specifically address ground faults. Surge protectors safeguard equipment from voltage spikes but do not prevent ground faults. A variac transformer is used to adjust voltage levels and is not a protective device for ground faults.