Installing And Wiring A GFCI

Posted on: August 18, 2016
By: Alan O'Neill
Posted in: Press Releases

Every Homeowner Should Know About The GFCI Wiring In Their Home

GFCIs are generally installed where electrical circuits may accidentally come into contact with water. They are most often found in kitchens, bath and laundry rooms, or even out-of-doors or in the garage where electric power tools might be used.

This video shows how to wire a gfci outlet if you have removed the outlet and didn’t mark the wires.

How to Install a Ground Fault Circuit Breaker

The Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) saves lives. There are two different kinds for home use–electrical outlets and circuit breakers. GFCI circuit breakers last longer than GFCI outlets and are a good idea if you do not test your GFCI outlets on a regular basis. Read on to learn more about proper installation.

Installing a ground fault circuit breaker in the electrical panel will provide personnel protection from electrical shock hazards. If you are not electrically inclined or are unsure of any of these instructions and diagrams, consult a qualified electrician to safely install this device. This ground fault circuit breaker is to be connected to a single phase.

Once you’ve established the type of wire you have, locate the curly white wire on the GFCI breaker. This should connect to the neutral breaker terminal in the circuit box. Tighten the connection using a screwdriver. Connect the black circuit wire to the hot breaker terminal. Be sure your connections are tight and there is no more than a 1/4 inch of excess wire coming from the breaker.

Tips for Installing or wiring GFCI

Turn off the main breaker in the service panel and remove the panel cover. Check the circuits with your voltage tester to make sure that they are not hot. Pull out the old breaker and disconnect the wires.
Attach the curly white wire from the breaker to the neutral bus. The neutral bus is the strip with the screws located on the outside edge of the service panel.
Connect the white circuit wire to the neutral breaker terminal and the black circuit wire to the hot breaker terminal. No more than 1/4 inch of exposed wire should show outside the breaker.
Follow the breaker manufacturer’s directions for inserting the breaker into the panel. The wiring end of the breaker is usually inserted first and the other end is then pushed down until fully seated on the center tab.
Turn the power back on and press the “Test” button on the breaker. Reset the GFCI by pushing the switch fully off and then on.

Safety First About Installing A GFCI

As with any other electrical project, turn the power off in the panel before installing the ground fault circuit breaker. Turn the main breaker off, which will likely be a 100 or 200-amp breaker at the top of the electrical panel. Failure to turn off the power will increase the risk of electrical shock and even death, personal injury, or property damage. Call us (713) 812-7070 for your home service and repair needs.

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