polarity mess

jinna

In my kitchen there is junction box with a switch and a recepeticle. I want to replace the recepticle with a gfi. I have a problem--in checking the recepticle with a three light meter.. the meter tells me that I have "reverse polarity" in the recepticle. There is a main line coming from somewhere, the switch operates the garbage disposal, the dishwasher appears to be connected to the recepeticle. Iam pretty good with electricity, but this one has me crying.
Please! Any help will be appreciated..
"Jinna"

TazinCR

That just means the hot & neutral are switched. Is there room for a GFCI in the box? You should know that those two items are suppose to be on separate circuits?

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jinna

tarzinCR,
Can you explain this statement a little more please?
You should know that those two items are suppose to be on separate circuits.
Tnak you
Jinna

Ash

Maybe he means that the washer should have his own line and breaker in the panel

Normally the neutral is white and it goes to the larger hole in the socket (left one if the ground hole is down). Check the wires with tester (voltmeter or tester screwdriver) to see if the wires are connected wrong somewhere else

TazinCR

I am sorry. I did mean the dishwasher and disposal are suppose to have their own branch circuit. I mentioned that because I was sure someone else would mention it. It has nothing to do with your problem. As Ash said the neutral connected to the widest slot or spade in the outlet.

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I may go home hungry, but not tired and hungry.

jrclen

That only means the black and the white wires are on the wrong side of the receptacle. Black goes to the brass screw and white to the silver screw. On the GFCI the sides will be marked white and hot. Make sure to connect the incoming (line) wires to the line terminals of the GFCI, not the load terminals.

Does the existing receptacle feed the switch or dishwasher?

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John

jinna

Ash--
The recepticle feeds the dishwasher..
Jinna

jrclen

Connect the dishwasher wires and the incoming line wires to the line terminals of the GFCI.

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John

Ash

Then the washer will not be protected by the RCD

I'd connect it to the load (output) terminals

jbfan

Not required by NEC.

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jrclen

You certainly could if you wanted to. But there is no reason to do so. And to avoid any confusion, here in the USA we call the device a GFCI

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John

jinna

Hey ya'll,
Have been really great and prompt, and I appreciate all the help. You know--why don't we do this!..Can anyone tell me how to connect the gfi, and switch in the same box with one power source coming in the box. Maybe this will get rid-off all the confusion between us.
You all as I said before, but I think this way it wiil be easier for all. "What do you all think?"
Thank You
Jinna...

By the way...the switch is for the garbage disposal and the dishwasher will probably be connected to the gfi..

theatretch85

Per the NEC these two appliances should be on their own circuits, with the dishwasher running there is the potential to overload the circuit when you flip on the garbage disposal. Also, any above the counter outlets can not be shared off another circuit, meaning the above counter outlets must be on their own 2 circuits. What you are proposing to do would be at least two code violations; what are you doing that you have to rewire these circuits?

jrclen

I believe the OP wants to swap out his existing receptacle outlet for a GFCI receptacle. We don't know when this house was wired or which code cycle, if any, was in effect in his location at that time.

If the dishwasher and garbage disposal worked fine up until now, and there is no danger of fire or personal injury, it is not our place to decide he or she must rewire their house. IMHO.

Jinna, if this was my house or a customers house (I do this for a living), I would connect the line (incoming wires) to the wires feeding the switch or switches for the dishwasher and garbage disposal, together. Along with short wires (pigtails) to feed the line side terminals of your new GFCI receptacle. Other than having a GFCI receptacle, everything would then be wired as it is right now (electrically speaking).

There are many ways to do this. One might be to hire an electrician if you feel this is beyond your capability. No offense intended, but sometimes that is the best answer.

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John

jinna

Thanks Jr.,
I think with this information I can fix the problem. All your work has been appreciated and the rest of the inputs from the other gentlemen.

Thanks
Jinna...