In this paper, a ZigBee monitoring and protection system for building electrical safety is proposed. The main components of traditional distribution systems in buildings are no-fuse breakers (NFBs) and electrical outlets, whose functions are power transmission and overload protection respectively. NFBs only have the function of overload protection and are not completely effective in preventing electrical fires caused by poor contact or dust contamination. In addition, all equipments are disconnected in the same branch circuit due to NFB trips, thus the security and intelligence of the traditional distribution systems still need improvement. In this paper, the proposed system was constructed with protection mechanisms in order to enhance the functions of traditional distribution systems. The system can dynamically set the overload limit of outlets and avoid the effects on other equipments in the same branch circuit when the outlet disconnects the power. In addition, a self-protection function with temperature control was built in the outlet for fire prevention. This paper provides a detailed description of the proposed system, from design to implementation, as well as the results of the demonstration experiment. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.