Will a GFCI breaker in the service panel protect a branch circuit without a ground wire? I recently installed a 20a GFCI breaker in my daughter's older home to protect three duplex receptacles - two in the kitchen and one outside the back door. I then discovered that the outlet outside is only a 2-wire circuit - no ground wire. Is that receptacle still protected? Since the breaker protects against a "ground fault", my gut says yes (since the absence of a ground wire, in affect, results in a ground fault) but thought I should seek more advice.
I realize that installing a ground wire to that receptacle is untimately the best solution anyway, and I am planning to do so on my next visit - I just wondered if she is protected in the mean-time.
Thanks
Jeff

The term "ground fault" is kind of misleading.
A GFI will most certainly work without a circuit ground.