How to Replace an Electrical Outlet With a GFCI

By DogMan7, eHow Member Rating

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)

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A ground fault circuit interrupter also known as a GFCI is an electrical receptacle with a built in circuit breaker. In wet areas like your bathroom, kitchen or garage it will protect you from fatal electrical shock and your home from fire.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Circuit tester
Screwdriver
Sticky back labels
Needle-nose pliers
Cone shaped electrical connector

Step 1

Before you start anything, turn off the power to the electrical outlet you plan to replace. Find the breaker panel and switch off the breaker. Tape a "Don't Touch" note to the electrical panel.
Step 2

Test the receptacle with a circuit tester to ensure that you deactivated the correct breaker switch and that the receptacle has no power.
Step 3

Once you are sure the outlet has no power, remove the cover with a screwdriver then pull the receptacle out and away from the electric box.
Step 4

Take note of the wiring. If you only have one cable with a white wire, a black wire and a ground wire in the electrical box, then the outlet is at the end of a series of receptacles. If you have two cables each with one white, one black and one ground wire for a total of six wires then the outlet is in series with downstream receptacles. That is, power must pass through this receptacle to those attached to it downstream.
Step 5

Detach the wires from the receptacle with your screwdriver and spread them apart so that none are touching.
Step 6

If you have two cables coming into the electrical box, you need to determine which wires are coming from the breaker panel. To be sure, with the wires spread apart, turn the breaker back on and use your circuit tester to determine which wires are hot. Turn the breaker back off and label the white and black wire from the cable with the hot wire as "LINE".
Step 7

Attach the wires that you labeled "LINE" to the two terminals on the new GFCI outlet labeled "LINE". Attach the white wire to the chrome colored screw and the hot black wire to the bronze colored screw. If there is not a hole to insert the wires into then loop each wire around the base of the screw in a clockwise direction using needle-nose pliers.
Step 8

If the GFCI outlet is in series with downstream receptacles then the electrical box contains a second cable Attach the second set of wires from the cable to other two terminals labeled "LOAD" on the GFCI receptacle as you did in the previous step with black to bronze and white to chrome.
Step 9

If the electrical box has only one ground wire, connect it directly to the GFCI ground screw. If the box has two ground wires then attach a short length of wire to the ground screw on the GFCI receptacle then attach it to the other two ground wires with a cone shaped electrical connector.
Step 10

Fold the wires into the electrical box and attach the GFCI receptacle to the box with the screws provided. Attach the cover.
Step 11

Turn the circuit breaker back on at the circuit panel then check the GFCI receptacle for power with the circuit tester. Test the downstream outlets for power as well.
Step 12

Push the "TEST" button on the GFCI receptacle. You should hear an audible click as the internal breaker trips off. Test the GFCI receptacle and any downstream outlets for power. There should be none.
Step 13

Push the reset button to activate the circuit then congratulate yourself for successfully adding another factor of safety in your home.

Comments

jrichview said

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on 10/11/2008 You don't discuss 15 amp vs 20 amp. When replacing an existing (NON-gfi) socket, how can one tell whether a 15 or 20 amp is needed?

JASCOTT said

on 3/16/2008 Also determine what the wires down the line work as well, if the outlets down the line dont require GFI protection you can hook both sets of wires onto the line side of a GFI outlet.