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In USA do you have to connect a ground wire to a GFCI outlet for it to work properly?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
No. A GFCI receptacle does NOT require a ground wire to operate properly or to meet code. The GFCI device measures current in the hot and neutral wires and makes sure they match. The device trips when the currents do not match, indicating that the current is not following the proper path (ground fault). Actually, replacing an old 2 wire ungrounded receptacle with a GFCI is a code approved way to upgrade to 3 wire grounded receptacles. The GFCI and any outlet(s) protected by it are allowed to be 3 wire receptacles. ----
If you do not understand the work well enough to accomplish it yourself properly and safely, don't try it. Consult a professional electrician, as they are proficient enough to do it properly and safely. When working on electrical circuits and equipment, make sure to de-energize the circuit you will be working on. Then test the circuit with a definitive means to make sure it is off (multimeter with metal tipped leads, voltage tester with metal tipped leads, etc., not a non-contact tester, which is non-definitive.)
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
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What device senses short circuits and stops electrical flow when ground fault occur?
It is a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter or GFCI. It can either be equipped in your electric panel as a GFCI breaker, or in a GFCI outlet which also lets you extend the GFCI protection to other outlets "down the line" from the GFCI outlet.
What happens when you plug a GFCI protected extension cord into an outlet that is GFCI protected?
In a word NO, that will not cause either GFCI to trip. The correct term is GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter)
Wiring diagram needed for a GFCI connection to a hot tub?
Install the GFCI outlet is a location near the hot tub where it can be accessed and tub plugged in. Connect ground wire to green ground screw. Connect black/white wires to LINE side of outlet. Black goes to copper screw, white goes to silver screw. You connect the wires by inserting them into the holes marked LINE and then tightening the screws down tight.
How do you wire one light and one GFCI and another light light and fan with two switches and one power line?
Connect the incoming power to the line side of the GFCi outlet. Now run another wire connected to the line side of the GFCI outlet from the GFCI outlet to the switches. Power one of the switches and use that switch to turn on the 2 lights. Run power from that switch to another switch and use that switch to send power to the fan. Mount both switches in a double pole switch box. If the light above the sink has an outlet on it then you will have to connect power going to that light on the load side of the GFCI outlet. If not then just connect it to the line side.
Will a GFCI outlet trip when the current is reduced or shut off?
The GFCI is measuring leakage current to ground, so if no current is flowing it won't trip.
Why does a newly installed GFCI outlet show open ground on the tester?
Ground wire is loose or disconnected somewhere in that circuit.
Is a ground fault indicator outlet installed at the breaker box?
There are tow places to put a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. There is a GFCI breaker which would be installed in a breaker box and a GFCI outlet that can be installed anywhere. Most GFCI outlets allow you to connect regular outlets to the GFCI and those outlets will also be protected.
How do you wire an outdoor timer into a GFCI outlet?
I assume you are hard wiring it and not plugging it in. The power coming into the GFCI outlet connects to the line side of the GFCI outlet. If you want the outdoor timer protected by the GFCI then connect the wire going to the timer to the load side of the outlet. If you do not want the timer protected then connect it to the line side. On the back of the GFCI if you look closely you will see Line & Load marked on the back.
What device senses short circuits and stops electrical flow when ground fault occur?
It is a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter or GFCI. It can either be equipped in your electric panel as a GFCI breaker, or in a GFCI outlet which also lets you extend the GFCI protection to other outlets "down the line" from the GFCI outlet.
What happens when you plug a GFCI protected extension cord into an outlet that is GFCI protected?
In a word NO, that will not cause either GFCI to trip. The correct term is GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter)
Wiring diagram needed for a GFCI connection to a hot tub?
Install the GFCI outlet is a location near the hot tub where it can be accessed and tub plugged in. Connect ground wire to green ground screw. Connect black/white wires to LINE side of outlet. Black goes to copper screw, white goes to silver screw. You connect the wires by inserting them into the holes marked LINE and then tightening the screws down tight.
What is the wiring and gfci for a bathtab jacuzzi?
Connect incoming power to the line side of GFCI outlet and plug Jacuzzi into the outlet. Must be on a dedicated circuit. If it has a pump and heater then each one must be on dedicated GFCI protected circuit.
When would it be a better idea in a residence to install a GFCI breaker instead of an GFCI outlet?
GFCI Breakers are quite a bit more expensive than a GFCI outlet. More often than not a typical residence will need only a handful of GFCI outlets that combined together will be cheaper than a GFCI breaker. If you need to protect a series of outlets with GFCI protection you can simply connect the rest of the outlets on that same circuit downstream from the first outlet on the line and make that the GFCI. All you have to do is connect all the other outlets to the LOAD side of the GFCI outlet. If a GFCI fault occurs in any of the outlets down stream they will trip that very first GFCI plug you placed and keep you safe.
Do you wire a gfci outlet differently?
No, except that you insert the wires into the holes on the back of the outlet. The power in connects to the LINE side of the outlet and power out connects to the LOAD side of the outlet. This is clearly marked on the back of the outlet. This will not only protect the outlet with the GFCI installed but all outlets receiving their power from that GFCI. If you do not want to protect the outlets receiving power from the outlet then connect that outgoing wire to the LINE side also. But know that only the outlet with the GFCI will be protected and all other outlets will not be GFCI protected.
How do you wire one light and one GFCI and another light light and fan with two switches and one power line?
Connect the incoming power to the line side of the GFCi outlet. Now run another wire connected to the line side of the GFCI outlet from the GFCI outlet to the switches. Power one of the switches and use that switch to turn on the 2 lights. Run power from that switch to another switch and use that switch to send power to the fan. Mount both switches in a double pole switch box. If the light above the sink has an outlet on it then you will have to connect power going to that light on the load side of the GFCI outlet. If not then just connect it to the line side.
How do you install multiple GFCI receptacles?
A GFCI receptacle can extend its protection to regular receptacles connected to the output side of the GFCI. Each actual GFCI receptacle should be directly connected to a breaker in electric panel.
Why does the reset button on a wall outlet pop out when something is plugged into it?
Assume this is a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet. The GFCI looks for current that is flowing to ground, in a manner that could result in electrical shock to a user. The appliance that is being plugged in could be defective, the wiring connected to the load side of the GFCI may be incorrect, or the GFCI outlet could be defective. Try using another appliance. If the GFCI holds, the first appliance is most likely the cause.
