[bejhan]

Over the last several years, I've slowly been correcting issues found during the inspection of my house performed during purchase.

One such reported issue is that the outlets in 2 of my bathrooms are not GFCI. I decided to install GFCI outlets in both, not thinking much of that fact that they are on the same circuit.

After installation, I realized this makes the reset process a bit cumbersome. To make matters worse, I discovered that a GFCI outlet in a bathroom on the other side of the house is also on the same circuit (upstream from the others).

Some Google searching has led me to believe that there's nothing inherently wrong with multiple GFCI outlets on a circuit except for the awkward reset process.

Since I already have them installed, should I just leave them in or would it be better to revert to the original setup with just one GFCI outlet (upstream from the other outlets)?

 

[joed]

What you should do is make sure none of the LOAD connections are used. This way only the GFCI with the fault will go out. All the other will remain powered.

 

[stick\shift]

To say what Joed is saying another way, you should never feed a GFCI receptacle with a circuit coming from another GFCI receptacle if the one downstream would be connected to the LOAD side of the upstream receptacle - it must be fed from the LINE side. Double 'protection' at any point in the circuit is to be avoided.

 

[bejhan]

Thanks for the response. Does that mean that I just connect both sets of wires to LINE?

 

[bejhan]

If a GFCI outlet should never be fed from another GFCI outlet's LOAD, does that mean LOAD should only be used if there is a single GFCI outlet on a circuit? What about the case when there's multiple GFCI outlets on a circuit but there is something between them (like a light, fof example)?

 

[Old Thomas]

If you want a downstream device protected, use the load terminals. If you don’t want it protected, use the line terminals.

 

[bejhan]

If you want a downstream device protected, use the load terminals. If you don’t want it protected, use the line terminals.

That makes sense, thanks.

 

[joed]

Thanks for the response. Does that mean that I just connect both sets of wires to LINE?

Yes that is exactly what to do.

 

[joed]

If a GFCI outlet should never be fed from another GFCI outlet's LOAD, does that mean LOAD should only be used if there is a single GFCI outlet on a circuit? What about the case when there's multiple GFCI outlets on a circuit but there is something between them (like a light, fof example)?

You can feed another GFCI from the LOAD. There is no good reason to do so however. You don't know which one will trip and you have to go hunting.
One GFCI can be used to protect multiple regular receptacles. It saves money. If there are more than one receptacle in a room it works fine to have on GFCI for all of them. You don't have to looking for the one to reset.

 

[Wiredindallas]

There should not be a reason to not also have a light also on the gfci downstream unless it gets its neutral from another circuit such as some 3 way switch configurations do.

 

[seharper]

You should never, ever use LOAD terminals, unless you specifically want to protect a downline. The label says as much, but most people tear it off without reading it the moment they see the 2 extra screws under there.

It's not dangerous or destructive to feed a GFCI from another GFCI's LOAD terminals. It's just this.