Gfci Circuit

howard.wheaton · 01-29-2009, 04:13 PM

Have a question. I have # 12 wire going from the 20amp breaker to the LINE screws on GFCI (call this GFCI # 1) and then # 12 wire connected to the LOAD screws that go to another GFCI (call this GFCI # 2). When I test the GFCI # 2, the GFCI # 1 trips also. This is what the directions say to do, but is this the ideal way to do it? Is it best to have a nut and running a wire the GFCI # 1 and have the power to GFCI # 2 bypas the GFCI # 1? Is it preference or code?

wirenut1110 · 01-29-2009, 04:15 PM

Need to go to line on both or eliminate the second one.

Scuba_Dave · 01-29-2009, 04:17 PM

It's working correctly according to the way it's wired
To trip independent you need to connect the feed of GFCI #2 to the line of GFCI #1, not the load

Most GFCI's have the ability to do this

howard.wheaton · 01-29-2009, 04:29 PM

thanks. So it should go breaker to Load of GFCI # 1 and then a wire from LINE of GFCI # 1 to LINE of GFCI # 2?

wirenut1110 · 01-29-2009, 04:33 PM

Breaker and the wires leaving to #2 to line side of GFI #1, hook to line side of GFI #2. Or like I said, leave it as you had it and put a regular duplex in at #2

timchi29 · 01-29-2009, 04:51 PM

wirenut,

So if I want to keep the GFCI there, is my description the same as yours?

wirenut1110 · 01-29-2009, 04:55 PM

I think so, are you Howard?

Quote:

So it should go breaker to Load of GFCI # 1 and then a wire from LINE of GFCI # 1 to LINE of GFCI # 2?

timchi29 · 01-29-2009, 05:00 PM

Yes That's wierd, I answered from a different computer in the house.

HouseHelper · 01-29-2009, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howard.wheaton

thanks. So it should go breaker to Load of GFCI # 1 and then a wire from LINE of GFCI # 1 to LINE of GFCI # 2?

If you are using two GFCIs, then nothing should connect to the load terminals of the first GFCI.
If you replace the GFCI #2 with a regular duplex receptacle, then that would be fed from the load of #1.

timchi29 · 01-29-2009, 05:09 PM

Househelper,

Then how do you get power to # 2 if the power stops at # 1?

Scuba_Dave · 01-29-2009, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timchi29

Househelper,

Then how do you get power to # 2 if the power stops at # 1?

Power does not stop at #1, it continues to the 2nd outlet via the LOAD side of GFCI #1 - this is your existing setup

2 ways of doing this as I see it

A) Power goes to GFCI #1, then a wire goes from load of GFCI #1 to the 2nd outlet (which does not have to be GFCI). This 2nd outlet (which is now GFCI #2) is protected by GFCI #1. Currently GFCI #2 serves no real purpose as any problem will cause GFCI #1 to kick out

B) Power goes to GFCI #1, then continues to GFCI #2
Both receive direct power & each GFCI will kick out independent of the other