Quick outlet question

RodBarney

An outlet in my kitchen shorted out when the ground was pushed into a hot terminal of a switch in the same box. While I have apart I am replacing outlet with a GFI. The current outlet has three white wires pushed into the back of it. My question is, combining these whites in the outlet is just taking the place of a wire nut right, same thing? I don't like the push in connection, the GFI doesn't have that style anyway, so I want to tie the three wires together and add a jumper that goes to the screw terminal on the outlet. Thank you.

Jim Port

Pigtailing a short length of wire to the 3 wires already there would be acceptable. If you want downstream GFI protection also, you will need to find which cable has the power. The non-powered would connect to the LOAD terminals if GFI protection is wanted.

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Answers based on the National Electrical Code. Local amendments may apply. Check with your local building officials.

RodBarney

Thanks Jim you're fast!

RodBarney

There are two circuits in the box, and they share a neutral wire. From what I read this seems to be OK, however if I understand correctly they need to be on a 240v (multiwire branch circuit?) double pole breaker? The breaker that controls one of the circuits is a 20 amp breaker with a single switch, lever, whatever you want to call it so I don't know if its a double pole 240v or if I am correct thinking it should be.

I'm going to change the box eventually because that thing is JAM packed with wires, guessing that's why it shorted out to begin with, but got it hooked back up because my wife is having company this weekend and the switch runs the garbage disposal and the outlet is for the kitchen appliances.

SD515

A multi-wire branch circuit didn’t use to be required to have a 2-pole breaker unless both ‘hots’ were attached to the same yoke. That got changed in ’08…now MWBC’s require simultaneous disconnection. You house was probably wired before the requirement.

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Kyle

Just because you can, doesn't always mean you should

RodBarney

Yeah it was built in 1971 and has had no updating.