Wiring GFCI
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How to wire GFCIWiring diagrams also apply to AFCI (arc fault) devices |
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Troubleshoot GFCIResource: GFCI will not resetSpa is tripping GFCI How GFCI works How GFCI protects you Troubleshhot GFCI with FAQ |
GFCI manualsResource: Pass and Seymour Combo-GFCI manualLeviton Combo-GFCI manual Lutron GFCI outlet manual GFCI pilot light manual Leviton GFCI-related manuals Installing and testing GFCI Arc Fault circuit breaker AFCI-GFCI circuit breaker installation and troubleshoot/ pdf AFCI operation, installation and troubleshoot |
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What
is GFCI? Ground fault outlet detects grounded circuit that can potentially electrocute you. For example:. You plug-in extension cord. Then use power tool while standing in water. Or wet grass. Electricity wants to flow to ground through easiest path. Since you are standing on wet ground, electricity can jump from power tool and race through your body to ground. This will kill instantly. GFCI instantly detects open circuit, and cuts power so electricity is stopped. Same can happen while holding electric shaver and touch metal faucet. Faucets are grounded because metal pipe is enters the soil or ground outside the home. Homes with plastic or pex plumbing might not conduct to ground, but risk is present so GFCI is code in each bathroom, kitchen anywhere water and electric outlets are both present. Outdoor plugs, kitchen plugs and bathroom plugs are GFCI protected. What is a ground rodTake a metal pole or pipe or rod. For household electric service, use copper ground rod from hardware store.Hammer the metal into the dirt. The deeper, the better. Up to 8 feet deep. Attach piece bare copper wire using grounding clamp. Use tester, Test between bare copper wire and Hot side of outlet (the narrow blade), and it will show live power potential. You can be a ground rod whenever standing on bare ground. Or by touching any metal that goes into the ground, like a water pipe, or faucet connected to the water pipe. GFCI protects you from ground faults. Ground wire is not discussed further on this page. See electricity from power pole to breaker box |
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| How to identify Hot and Neutral wires Following description does not mention ground wires. All ground wires are either twisted together or attached to green ground screw exactly like ordinary outlets, and are not immediately important for understanding how to wire GFCI. So
which wire is Hot and
which is Neutral?
1) Each
residential box (excluding 240Volt boxes, 3-way switches, and some
single light
switches) will have 1 Hot wire and 1 Neutral wire that comes
from circuit breaker.For example each circuit breaker supplies power to one area of home. To do this, the Hot wire and Neutral wire leave breaker box and travel to a junction box. The junction is usually a ceiling box where light fixture is attached. But any box can be a junction box. From the junction box, the Hot and Neutral split off and jump from one box to the next box, and to the next box. The very last box will have 1 Hot and 1 Neutral, and no additional wires. So each box between the last box and the junction box will have several wires. Despite having several wires, there will be only 1 Hot and 1 Neutral in each box. Hot wires are usually black Each switch will connect to Hot wire, but not to Neutral. Each outlet will connect to both Hot and Neutral. So if you see a Black wire that connects to both a switch and outlet, then that is the Hot wire. Neutral wires are usually white and are twisted together and covered with wire connector, then pushed to back of box GFCI has an outlet, so it will connect to both Hot and Neutral, just like ordinary outlet. To identify the Hot and Neutral: Take photo of wires so everything can be put back. Separate all wires except bare ground wires. Tape tester leads to wood sticks for safety. Stand on dry boards, and never on wet surface. Turn power on. Test each wire to bare ground wire. Only 1 wire will light up tester. This is the Hot wire. Next test Hot wire to all other wires except bare ground. Tester will light up on Neutral wire. So the Hot and Neutral are identified, and these wires will connect to the GFCI Line Screws. |
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Start
with ordinary outlet Ground wire is connected exactly same on ordinary outlet and GFCI outlet: Ground wires connects to green screws, and all ground wires are twisted together and covered with wire connector Ordinary outlet has 1 Hot wire from circuit breaker and 1 Neutral wire from Neutral busbar. Resource: See inside main breaker box Ground wire is not shown, and connects to green ground screw. Ordinary outlets have screws on each side. The Hot side screws feed power to the narrow blades. The Hot side screws are brass, and Neutral side screws are silver. The Hot side screws are bonded (electrically connected) to each other by break-away fin. So wire that is connected to one screw also feeds power to other screw. To separate brass screws on Hot side, remove break-away fin The Neutral side screws are also connected to each other by a metal plate. |
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 Look on back of device for marks identifying Line and Load |
GFCI
outlet is different than ordinary outlet Hot side has narrow blade/ Neutral side has wide blade = same as ordinary outlet There is no break-away fin because all 4 screws on GFCI are independent of each other There are two set of screws on GFCI outlet, same as ordinary outlet. Except each screw is independent and not connected by metal. So all 4 GFCI screws are independent. Back of GFCI device identifies Line screws and Load screws. Load screws are usually covered with yellow tape when device is fresh out of box. Hot and Neutral wires from breaker box attach to Line screws, as illustrated. At this point, anything plugged into the GFCI outlet is protected from fault. Both outlets are GFCI protected at this point, and Load screws are not used 1) Load screws are usually covered with yellow tape when device is purchased. This indicates that GFCI is wired differently than ordinary outlet. 2) If you want more outlets and switches protected by same GFCI, then attach wires to Load screws, as illustrate below. 3) If you do NOT want GFCI protection on subsequent outlets and switches, then attach wires to Line screws, as illustrated below. Buy: GFCI outlets at Amazon 
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Spa tripping GFCIHeated bathtub tripping GFCITurn power off. DO NOT BY-pass GFCI. DO NOT use this spa until problem is found. 1) Check for water leak on tub, especially around electrical connections, switch, etc. 2) Test heating element for ground fault. Power is OFF. How to test element GFCI will not reset 3) Install new GFCI and see if that is the problem 4) Use multimeter set to read ohms (contunity) and check each part to ground... while electricity is off |
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MultimeterTest for breaks in wire/ Test for voltageTest for continuity Most appliance require 80% rated voltage to function correctly Buy: Multimeters at Amazon  Electric testers at Amazon Resource: How to test and replace element How to test thermocouple How to test wire Element tests for 120 volts |
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Tandem GFCI breaker Surge protection types |
Circuit breaker resourcesWater heater is tripping breakerHow to replace circuit breaker How to wire gfci Can AC breaker be used for DC breaker How to reset circuit breaker Not enough space for circuit breakers/ use tandem Circuit breakers How to install subpanel Why you need ground wire See inside breaker box How to wire safety switch How to wire whole house surge protector Figure volts amps and watts Figure correct wire and breaker Types of surge protection |
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Whole house surge protectorHow to wire whole house surge protector |
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GFCI circuit breakersSingle pole and double poleWhite wire connects to Neutral busbar. Avoid double GFCI protection Buy from my affiliate links: Single pole GFCI at Amazon GFCI breakers at Amazon  |
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How to wire 1-pole 120Volt GFCI circuit breakerSingle poleHot wire(s) connect to breaker in ordinary way. White neutral to Load connects to breaker GFCI breaker coiled white wire connects to Neutral busbar Bare ground wire connects to ground busbar in ordinary way. |
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GFCI 2-pole breakerIllustration shows 2-pole 208-240Volt GFCI.Wires leave GFCI and travel to T104 timer, before going to pool pump. National electric code requires 2-pole breaker for 240Volt circuit Read more It is unsafe, and against code to install 2 single GFCIs for 208-240 Volt applications. How to wire T104 timer How to set and operate T104 Intermatic timers and manuals |
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How to wire arc fault breaker |
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BR Type 120Volt Arc fault breakerGFCI protectionAlso mitigates damage from arcing fault Instructions: Breaker stabs onto busbar. Hot connects to breaker in typical fashion. White Neutral connects to breaker. Coiled White connects to Neutral busbar. Resource: AFCI-GFCI circuit breaker installation and troubleshoot/ pdf |
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What is 3-phase electric: power plant to end user |
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Electrical pagesHow to wire arc fault breaker How to wire GFCI How to wire GFCI combo Basic water heater circuit How to wire water heater for 120Volt Install old work box How to drop wire from attic Wire connector How to wire 240volt outlets How to install 3-phase timer How to wire 3-phase outlets How to wire 3-phase surge protector What is 3-phase How to wire whole house surge protector How to wire under-counter water heater See inside main breaker box Replace breaker Install subpanel Fuseholder Contactors How to solder wires Whole house surge protector 3-phase surge protection Circuit breakers Difference between 120 volt and 240 Volt Difference between 50Hz and 60Hz How to install electric meter on water heater How to wire water heater thermostat How to wire water heater with switches and timers 6x6x4 Enclosures Intermatic timer enclosures Convert AC water heater to DC How to wire DC solar water heater DC relays for solar water heater How to add another thermostat to water heater How many Kwh to heat water Chart for figuring heating time for electric heater |
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and
Neutral 
connects to brass screw #3 > and this wire will not connect to a
screw on GFCI combo.
connects to Neutral 
and 
