DIY Network

Installing a GFCI Outlet Learn how to install a GFCI outlet. From "Home Made Easy" episode DHME-121

Host Stephanie Lydecker is joined by Allegra Bennett, editor of Renovating Woman magazine, who explains how to replace a standard electrical outlet with a GFCI outlet.

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	Allegra reveals the steps to installing a GFCI outlet.
	Figure A

Materials:

flat tip screw driver
Phillips screw driver
GFCI kit
electrical tape
masking tape
circuit tester
wire nuts

Installing a GFCI Outlet.

Note: GFCI stands for ground fault circuit interrupter. It is a receptacle or plug with its own built-in circuit breaker. It is intended to protect you from receiving an electric shock and to protect your wiring and breaker panel from being shorted out. After 1993 building codes in most states require that GFCI outlets be installed within six feet of all wet locations like your kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, near the pools and garage. Basically, they should be installed any place where there might be a danger from moisture related electrical shock.

1. Before you start anything, turn the power off at the service panel, the circuit breaker or fuse box. It isn't enough to turn off the power to the wall switch. The wall switch only interrupts current to the "hot" wire. The hot wire is a wire live with electricity. If you are uncertain about which fuses or circuit breaker switches control the electrical outlet where you will be working, then turn off all of the house power—at the service panel. It is a good practice to have someone around when you are working with electricity to ease the task or to help you in the event of an emergency. You have to be extra cautious when it comes to safety. Make sure you aren't standing on a wet floor when dealing with an electrical project. For this project, you should put a piece of tape over the switch in the circuit breaker to make sure no one accidentally turns it back on while you are working on the outlet.

2. After you are sure that the power if off, (1) the next step is to remove the outlet cover plate by removing the two screws holding the outlet in place. (2) Next, carefully pull the outlet out of the box. You should test the outlet with a circuit tester which is an inexpensive tool that tests your circuits to make sure the power is off. Disconnect all of the wires from the outlet. There should be three wires running to the outlet (figure A), a green ground wire (sometimes it is a bare copper wire), a white neutral wire and a black hot wire. GFCI outlets come pre-wired with two sets of wires marked "load" and "line." (3) Next, you should separate the wires (the load and line) into two pairs.

3. One set of wires will be the "line," which is the power supply. The other set is the "load" which carries power to additional outlets on the same circuit. A GFCI outlet properly installed will protect all the outlets on the "load" side. This means you won't have to install every outlet on the same line with a GFCI outlet but you are still protected. Next, you should look for a green ground wire. Locate the wires marked "line" and connect the two black wires together and the two white wires together. Then connect the ground wire. The pair of wires marked "load" should each get a wire nut on the end and all wires should be wrapped with electrical tape to protect the connections. You may find that there are two pairs of wires connected to your original outlet. The second pair of wires feed other outlets along the circuit. You will need to find out which pair of wire feeds the outlet that you are working on. With the wires removed from the old outlet and the ends of the wires as far apart as you can get them, turn the power back on at the circuit breaker box. Use the circuit tester to determine which set of wires carries the power. Mark those wires with a piece of masking tape. Turn the power back off.

4. After the power has been turned off again, the pair of wires that are live should be connected to the "line" pair of wires on the GFCI outlet and the other pair of wires will be connected to the "load" pair on the GFCI outlet. Black to black and white to white.

5. Connect the bare ground wire to the green screw.

6. Replace your new GFCI outlet back into the box, carefully folding the wires back inside as you go. Put the cover plate on again and turn the power back on at the circuit breaker box. Test by depressing the black button on the outlet. Then, press the red reset button.

GUESTS :

Allegra Bennett
Editor, Renovating Woman magazine

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Allegra Bennett
0965617327
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LPC Group

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0965617319
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Website: www.renovatingwoman.com