How to Wire a Switched GFCI Receptacle
GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupt) receptacles provide extra protection against electrocution when used in certain areas of your home. Generally, electrical code requires their installation in all outdoor settings where an outlet is needed and also near water sources inside your home. If you do not want power to be active at your GFCI receptacle at all times, install one downstream of an existing wall switch. The switch can then be used to activate power to the receptacle when needed. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Screwdriver
- Electrical cable
- Electrical connectors
- Wire cutter/stripper
Instructions
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1
Turn off all power to the electrical circuit you will be working on.
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2
Unscrew the light switch from the switch box and gently pull it out to access the interior of the box and the wiring.
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3
Pull the appropriate size electrical cable between the switch box and the box for the GFCI receptacle. If you are installing it on a 15-amp circuit, use 14-gauge, 2-conductor cable. If you are installing it on a 20-amp circuit, use 12-gauge, 2-conductor cable.
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4
Secure the cable at both boxes with electrical connectors to prevent the cable from being pulled out of the electrical boxes later.
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5
Strip the electrical cable at both boxes with your wire stripper to expose 1-1/2 to 2 inches of the individual wires. Strip each of these wires back to expose 1/2 an inch of copper.
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6
Connect the black wire to the brass screw on the GFCI receptacle. Connect the white wire to the silver screw on the GFCI receptacle. Both of these wires should connect to the "LINE" side of the GFCI receptacle. Connect the bare or green wire to the green screw on the GFCI receptacle. Screw the GFCI receptacle to the electrical box and attach the cover plate.
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7
Move over to the switch box. Unscrew the wire nut that holds the white wires together. Twist the new white wire to the existing white wire(s) and screw on the wire nut.
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8
Loosen the screw on the light switch that contains the black wire that feeds power downstream of the light switch. Connect the black wire from your new GFCI outlet to the terminal and tighten the screw. If you cannot trace your electrical wiring because it is concealed in walls, this may be trial and error. You will know if you are on the wrong terminal because the switch will not shut off the power to the GFCI outlet. Simply switch it to the other terminal if this is the case.
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9
Push the light switch back into the switch box and tighten the screws to fasten it in place. Attach the cover plate and turn the power back on to the circuit.
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10
Press the "TEST" and "RESET" buttons on your GFCI receptacle to verify that the outlet is working properly. When pressing the "TEST" button, power should stop at your outlet. "RESET" should reinstate the power.
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