How to Wire a Gfi Breaker
The installation of a GFI, known also as a ground fault interrupt or GFCI, ground fault circuit interrupt, breaker is indicated in virtually all electrical circuit installations that are in moist or external conditions. A GFI breaker monitors for ground faults known as "short circuits" that occur when a person is electrocuted. When one is detected the breaker cuts off the circuit. The proper wiring of a GFI breaker is an easy task that anyone can perform with proper safety measures and planning. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Put your safety glasses and electrical gloves on.
-
2
Open the door to the main breaker box you wish to wire the GFI breaker to. This may require the removal of a screw to allow the box's door to open.
-
-
3
Locate the main power switch and disengage it into the "Off" or "Open" position.
-
4
Insert the GFI breaker into an available breaker slot. The breaker may require some force to properly engage in the slot. The breaker should fit completely and firmly into the slot.
-
5
Locate the black wire you wish to use for this circuit. This wire will be from the previous circuit installation.
-
6
Locate the screw at one end of the GFI breaker and loosen it enough to allow for the exposed metal of the black wire to fit around its post.
-
7
Slide the black wire around the screw's post and secure it there by tightening the screw against it. The screw should be firmly tightened but not overly tightened to the point that the wire may be forced out from under the screw.
-
8
Locate the white wire coming from the GFI breaker.
-
9
Stretch this wire out and place the exposed end into one of the mounting holes of the breaker's buss bar. The buss bar is a neutral bar that will have several wires tightened into mounting holes. This bar is located away from the breakers and along the edge of the breaker box.
-
10
Tighten the mounting screw, which is on the buss bar above the mounting hole you slid the white wire into, against the exposed portion of the white wire to hold it firmly in place.
-
11
Engage the GFI breaker into the "On" or "Open" position.
-
12
Engage the main power switch into the "On" or "Open" position.
-
13
Close the electrical box firmly and reattach any previously removed screws.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If at any point you feel you are uncertain of the process, seek the help of an electrician. Always be aware what you are doing within a breaker box because the voltage and amperage are high enough, even when the main switch is off, to seriously injure or kill a human being.
