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This question requires answering by a VERY knowledgable electrician, or an electrical engineer. I am neither, but until the right answer comes along, I will attempt to provide some information which hopefully will allow a better understanding of the issues involved. A GFCI [ground fault circuit interrupter] is much different from, although similar to, a circuit breaker. The DIFFERENCE is WHAT they are designed to detect and react to. The purpose of a fuse or circuit breaker is to detect excess or MASSIVE current flow [ie. a SHORT CIRCUIT, a direct short to ground], and then very quickly turn off the electrical current to the circuit, in order TO PREVENT a FIRE. This is the only thing the breaker is designed and intended to do. This limited capability will not prevent a person from being electrocuted when a fault occurs within an electrical device, if the current flow happens to be low. Voltage and current faults which can kill a person usually will not be detected by a circuit breaker. A ground fault circuit interrupter [GFCI], on the other hand, is designed to, and will, detect those low level currents which can kill a person, BUT which are not great enough to trip a breaker. When a GFCI detects potentially dangerous current it, like a breaker, trips in order to open the circuit. Now as to WHY, when you placed two GFCIs in series [one in the breaker panel feeding one in an electrical receptacle], the first GFCI tripped when the second GFCI is "tested." When you press the TEST BUTTON on a GFCI it puts a high resistance load on the circuit, which simulates a "small" ground fault, and I think both GFCIs "see" the same fault and react as designed and intended. Again, a true professional should "bless" my comments, but I think that there is no danger or hazard in placing two GFCIs in series. On the contrary, I think there is redundant capability in the pairing, with the first GFCI functioning with, and as a backup to, the second. I suggest you contact your local electrial inspection department regarding what the code(s) say about this issue, and also call the tech support people at the 800 number on the packaging for the GFCIs. Another source of information is a local electrical engineer, if you know someone who can help you make contact. Until a more informed answer comes along, I hope this helps you to understand the issues involved.

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14y ago
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4mo ago

You can have multiple GFCI outlets on one circuit; it is common to have them daisy-chained in a series. However, it is recommended to consult with a licensed electrician to ensure proper wiring and compliance with local electrical codes.

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13y ago

One is enough. If you have a 20 amp GFI for a 20 amp ckt. The load on any number of outlets being protected by the GFI that exceeds the 20 amp ckt. capacity should be on a separate 20 amp ckt. with its own GFI protection.

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13y ago

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters come in two basic types. The circuit breaker in your electric panel and as an outlet. In both cases only one GFCI should protect a circuit. Have no idea what you have in mind since a GFCI is not typically defined as a switch and you only need a single GFCI to protect circuit at the rating of the GFCI.

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13y ago

yes

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Q: How many gfci outlets can you have on one circuit?
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Do all electrical outlets in a garage need to be GFCI?

It is recommended to have GFCI protection for all electrical outlets in a garage to help reduce the risk of electric shocks. This would typically involve installing a GFCI outlet at the beginning of the circuit to protect the rest of the outlets downstream.


Can you control 10 outlets with one 20 amp GFCI outlet on one 20 amp circuit?

If each outlet draws less than 2 amps, then you could control 10 outlets with a 20 amp GFCI outlet on a 20 amp circuit. However, it's worth consulting an electrician to ensure the load calculations are accurate and the wiring is safe for the intended use.


How do you determine if an outlet is after or before the gfci?

You can determine if an outlet is after a GFCI by pressing the "test" button on the GFCI outlet. If the GFCI trips and cuts off power to the outlet, then that outlet is downstream from the GFCI. If power is not cut off, then that outlet is upstream from the GFCI.


Outlet stopped working and it is not a GFCI?

Check the circuit breaker to ensure it has not tripped. If the breaker is not the issue, try replacing the outlet with a new one as it may be faulty. If the problem persists, consider contacting a licensed electrician to investigate further.


GFCI outlet outside this line feeds your two bathrooms can you install gfci outlets in these 2 bathrooms?

Yes, you can install GFCI outlets in the two bathrooms fed by the line from the GFCI outlet outside. It is a good safety practice to have GFCI protection in bathrooms to help prevent electrical shocks. Make sure to follow proper installation procedures and consult a licensed electrician if needed.

Related questions

Do all electrical outlets in a garage need to be GFCI?

It is recommended to have GFCI protection for all electrical outlets in a garage to help reduce the risk of electric shocks. This would typically involve installing a GFCI outlet at the beginning of the circuit to protect the rest of the outlets downstream.


Can a circuit with a GFCI be shared at the box?

Your question is a bit vague, but let's try a two part answer. If you have a GFCI breaker in an electric panel you should only have one connection at the breaker, but the breaker will protect all devices on the circuit. If you are talking about a GFCI outlet, they are equipped to extend the GFCI protection to other non-GFCI outlets by using the proper "output" connection on the GFCI.


Can you control 10 outlets with one 20 amp GFCI outlet on one 20 amp circuit?

If each outlet draws less than 2 amps, then you could control 10 outlets with a 20 amp GFCI outlet on a 20 amp circuit. However, it's worth consulting an electrician to ensure the load calculations are accurate and the wiring is safe for the intended use.


What is ELCB distribution box?

An ELCB (Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker) distribution box is a type of electrical box that is used for electrical GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets. This is the type of outlet that requires a three-prong plug in, one wire of which is grounded. GFCI outlets are set up so that if there is a circuit overload, the outlet is shut off until it is reset, manually.


What is distribution box?

An ELCB (Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker) distribution box is a type of electrical box that is used for electrical GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets. This is the type of outlet that requires a three-prong plug in, one wire of which is grounded. GFCI outlets are set up so that if there is a circuit overload, the outlet is shut off until it is reset, manually.


How many outlets can you have on a gfi breaker?

Depends on the breaker. If the load at the outlets is unknown then the standard rules of 80% apply. You can only load a circuit 80% of it's maximum value. For instance, if you're connecting your GFCI outlets to a 15 amp breaker you can only have a maximum of 12 outlets. If it's a 20 Amp breaker then you're allowed up to 16 outlets and so on. In the US, you are limited to 13 receptacles on a 20 amp circuit and 10 receptacles on a 15 amp circuit in commercial or industrial installations. Any or all of these can be gfci-protected. You can install one gfci, the first one from the panel, and protect any or all the others from that one.


How do you determine if an outlet is after or before the gfci?

You can determine if an outlet is after a GFCI by pressing the "test" button on the GFCI outlet. If the GFCI trips and cuts off power to the outlet, then that outlet is downstream from the GFCI. If power is not cut off, then that outlet is upstream from the GFCI.


Outlet stopped working and it is not a GFCI?

Check the circuit breaker to ensure it has not tripped. If the breaker is not the issue, try replacing the outlet with a new one as it may be faulty. If the problem persists, consider contacting a licensed electrician to investigate further.


Can you have two bathrooms on one run?

Yes. Also on GFCI you can run output to second bathroom outlet and will be protected. Great thanks. That make more since, because there's only four outlets for both plus the lights on a 20a run Is it considered better to run the circuit through one GFCI outlet or is that to cut cost. I don't mind buying four GFCI outlets and adding the extra pig tail wires, specially if it might work better


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.


What can you do if your newly installed GFCI keeps tripping unless you detach all the other outlets in the room but all outlets are wired correctly?

Is the GFCI wired correctly. Voltage in goes to LINE. Voltage out goes to LOAD. Ground wires connect together and connected to ground on GFCI. All screws tight. If all this is correct and you have no loose wires on any of the outlets and no wires are shorted out in any of the outlets then more than likely you have a defective GFCI. Replace it with another one. I get bad ones all the time.


Can you wire two 220V devices off of one 50A GFCI breaker where the total load is 38A?

No, only one GFCI per circuit.