I've just moved into a new house and am trying to take care of some of the issues raised by the inspection. The inspector noted an incorrectly wired receptacle in the kitchen, and also lack of GFCI protection. I'm fixing the reversed wiring, but have questions about the GFCI. I searched the forums but couldn't find these issues covered.
1. Is it possible that there could be a GFCI but it wasn't found? Can you test for presence of a GFCI? Is there a problem with having multiple GCFIs on the same circuit? (I'm a little surprised that these kitchen circuits were not protected given that the house was built in 1986. This is in Washington State).
2. How important is it to identify the 'first' receptacle as the place where the GFCI is installed? I expect you'll all tell me it is very important, but I wonder if there is some meandering wiring and I might miss some. It seems that I'd only get protection downstream, but maybe that would be find if all the kitchen receptacles are covered.
3. Would it be easier or better to use a GFCI in the breaker panel instead of receptacle GFCI? It seems that a panel GFCI would eliminate the need to find the first, but I think there might be a problem with compatibility. The panel is a Crouse-Hinds - I understand that Cutler CL devices are compatible. However most of the breakers are the skinny ones, so I don't know if there is GFCI available. But in this case, there are two kitchen breakers next to each other - each 20A - so maybe I could just use a full size GFCI breaker instead. Probably using an electrician.
Thanks in advance!
Mike
1. Is it possible that there could be a GFCI but it wasn't found? Can you test for presence of a GFCI? Is there a problem with having multiple GCFIs on the same circuit? (I'm a little surprised that these kitchen circuits were not protected given that the house was built in 1986. This is in Washington State).
2. How important is it to identify the 'first' receptacle as the place where the GFCI is installed? I expect you'll all tell me it is very important, but I wonder if there is some meandering wiring and I might miss some. It seems that I'd only get protection downstream, but maybe that would be find if all the kitchen receptacles are covered.
3. Would it be easier or better to use a GFCI in the breaker panel instead of receptacle GFCI? It seems that a panel GFCI would eliminate the need to find the first, but I think there might be a problem with compatibility. The panel is a Crouse-Hinds - I understand that Cutler CL devices are compatible. However most of the breakers are the skinny ones, so I don't know if there is GFCI available. But in this case, there are two kitchen breakers next to each other - each 20A - so maybe I could just use a full size GFCI breaker instead. Probably using an electrician.
Thanks in advance!
Mike