GFCI Installation Questions

[Hall]

and AFCI

AFCI are req'd in different rooms than GFCI are req'd. Generally speaking, if there's the possibility of "wet" conditions, i.e. kitchen, bathroom, garage, outside outlets, you need GFCI. When AFCI was first introduced, they were only req'd in bedrooms. That has later been expanded to most interior areas in homes, except where GFCI are.

put in GFCI outlets on front and back of house.. both are GFCI.. and if the back one trips the front one will turn off.. which would be ok except its also a GFCI outlet.
That took a min to figure out after the 25w of christmas lights tripped it.

All my garage outlets were not GFI, but they were daisy chained from a GFI plug on the outside of the house. Took me a while to figure out when it tripped because it was at completely the opposite side of the house.

Our house is similar. We have an outlet on the front porch and one on the patio that are wired on the same circuit along with (1) basement outlet and the garage. If the panels were properly and fully labeled, it wouldn't be a big deal but yeah, it was confusing until I figured it out ! I have a nice Google Docs spreadsheet keeping track of things. Our downstairs bathroom is on circuit/breaker # 6 and nothing else downstairs is on that same circuit. I haven't traced the upstairs outlets yet but I'm guessing the kid's bathroom and the master bathroom will be on # 6 as well. The panel is labeled "Bathroom GFCI" (by the original electrician).

 

[Hall]

Many well punps in my area have died to lightning.

A lightning strike can destroy a "surge suppressor" and anything connected to it. They aren't designed to suppress surges from lightning although sometimes people get lucky.

It does not rain inside my garage

The electrical code (NEC) can seem like overkill (pun intended ?) but there's usually sound reasoning. If your garage was left open during rain, wind can blow it in. Or you drive your car in after driving in rain and water runs off the car. Yes, those seem like out of the ordinary events but "better safe than sorry" is how the NEC operates.

 

[MasterSolenoid]

The electrical code (NEC) can seem like overkill (pun intended ?) but there's usually sound reasoning. If your garage was left open during rain, wind can blow it in. Or you drive your car in after driving in rain and water runs off the car. Yes, those seem like out of the ordinary events but "better safe than sorry" is how the NEC operates.

Or in the Spring time, I see condensation on the garage floor.

 

[SHOZ]

You can use a GFCI in place of a 2 wire outlet to give you protection, instead of the ungrounded three wire outlet.

 

[dlundblad]

You only want 1 GFI outlet on a circuit.

On the back of a GFI, “line” and “load” are identified. Line is the side from the panel to the GFI. Load is everything after the GFI.

Everything downstream of the GFI will be protected.

 

[Dennywires]

Garages “attached or detached require gfci protection.., if you can narrow out which receptacle is first from the service panel then install your gfci receptacle in that wall box “hot wires from panel line side of gfci” 2nd set of wires “load”. You can always install a gfci breaker directly in the panel takes out the guess work just more costly.

Sometimes you have to go that route if the wall box is too shallow to accommodate gfci device and wiring.

 

[Dennywires]

You can use a GFCI in place of a 2 wire outlet to give you protection, instead of the ungrounded three wire outlet.

Code is replace like receptacle for like receptacle or gfci and label receptacles downstream no equipment ground.

 

[4WD]

Any place you use a hand held corded device (120v drill etc) is a good place for a GFCI outlet.
After the loss of a TV to lightning - put that on GFCI and it tripped when hit again.
(we have a tree line squared with empty field - so several strikes to date) …

 

[Lubener]

Why would a PEV need GFCI and what would it be protecting?

GFCI's are meant to protect people from shock, not protect devices, that's where surge protectors come into play which protect devices.. Circuit breakers and fuses will protect the circuit when a circuit's current rating is exceeded.

 

[dlundblad]

Had to Google PEV. Is this 120v?

Apparently the 2020 code is to have GFI’s everywhere. I humbly disagree. Many around here are still inspecting per 2008’s (I think) requirements.

Fridge, freezers, sump pumps etc. You don’t want it. Put single outlets on them and have them not protected.

 

[Ws6]

Had to Google PEV. Is this 120v?

Apparently the 2020 code is to have GFI’s everywhere. I humbly disagree. Many around here are still inspecting per 2008’s (I think) requirements.

Fridge, freezers, sump pumps etc. You don’t want it. Put single outlets on them and have them not protected.

Yes, 120V.

 

[dlundblad]

Yes, 120V.

My original comment still stands then. If it’s outside or in the garage, you’re doing good to have it GFI protected.

 

[Hall]

Apparently the 2020 code is to have GFI’s everywhere. I humbly disagree. Many around here are still inspecting per 2008’s (I think) requirements.

Very possible. Local jurisdictions often don't try (or can't) keep up with NEC changes and ultimately, that's their decision.

 

[Ws6]

My original comment still stands then. If it’s outside or in the garage, you’re doing good to have it GFI protected.

It is inside the garage. The first outlet in the series from the line, is a GFCI. The specific outlet I plug it into, is a surge protector.

 

[SHOZ]

I wouldn't put a GFCI on outside equipment that usually runs unattended.