How to Hook Up a GFI Outlet

GFCIs are requierd by the NEC in bathrooms, kitchens and wet locations.

GFCI is a ground-fault circuit interrupt device that monitors the current going out on one side of the device and the current returning back to it. If there is a difference between the two values that exceeds 0.05 amps, the circuit will short, protecting the device and the person operating the electrical appliance. The GFCI does that by the use of a built-in differential transformer that monitors current at all times. According to the National Electric Code of 2011, GFCIs are required in bathrooms, kitchens, unfinished basements, outside or in wet locations and garages.

Things You'll Need

• GFCI outlet
• Screwdriver
• Electric tape
• Electrical tester
• Wire cutters
• Wire stripper
• Long-nose pliers

Instructions

1. Locate the load and the line side of the GFCI by reading the markings on the back of the outlet.The line side of the outlet is where the main power is hooked up, supplying current to the outlet. The load side is used to protect other devices down the line by using the same GFCI outlet and connecting to other outlets that do not have GFCI protection. This way the GFCI protection is extended to those outlets as well.

2. Remove about six inches of the wire's insulation using a wire cutter. Underneath the wire insulation, there are two more insulated wires. One of the wires is black and the other is white. Black is hot and is the current carrier. White is the neutral wire and does not carry any charge. Remove 1/2 to 3/4 inch of the outer insulation of each wire using a wire stripper. Use long-nose pliers to make a small hook at the end of each wire. On the outlet there are four screws; two of them are brass colored and the others are silver colored. Brass colored screws are used to hook up black wires and silver colored ones are used for white wires.

3. Take the black wire and insert it under the brass colored screw with the opening of the hook facing upward. Tighten the screw to secure the wire.

4. 

   Use a wire stripper to strip 1/2 to 3/4 inch of wire insulation off the wire.

   Insert the white wire under the silver colored screw with the opening of the hook facing upward. Tighten the screw to secure the wire.

5. Insert the GFCI outlet in the back mounting box on the wall and secure it in place with the two screws on the top and the bottom of the outlet. If the load side of the outlet will be used, follow the same steps to hook up the black and white wires to the brass and silver colored screws on the outlet. After you are done, white wires will be on one side of the outlet and black wires will be on the other side.

6. Test the circuit with an electrical tester and make sure it is working properly. There are two buttons on the GFCI outlet: one marked "TEST" and the other marked "RESET." Push the "TEST" button and watch the LED light on the GFCI turn off. Push the "RESET" button to reset the outlet.

Tips & Warnings

• Connection from the electrical panel to the GFCI outlet is assumed. This article only describes how to hook up the GFCI outlet.

• Use the electrical tester to test the circuit and make sure there is current.

• Always turn off the power at the main panel before working on the circuit. Never work on live wires. There is no safe way to work with live wires.

• Use all electrical safety precautions while working.

References

• "The Black & Decker Complete Guide to Home Wiring"; Editors of Creative Publishing; 2005
• "NEC Code"; NFPA; 2011
• "Electrical Wiring, Residential"; Ray C. Mullin; 2001