GFCI tester tell me if my non gfci outlet is downstream from a gfci?
schreibdave
7 years ago
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schreibdave
7 years agoRelated Discussions
Converting a combo swithc/outlet to a GFCI regular outlet
Comments (10)Given your answer to Greg's question I would not twist the two black wires together. Ideally, if you have access to the wiring for the fan, take some detailed pictures. Sounds to me like the fan is wired with two hot wires. If you can't get to the fan: (Goes without saying, turn the power off at the circuit panel when you do this.) Disconnect the two black wires from the top of the combo and put wire nuts on the exposed ends. Turn the power back on and see if the fan works with the other switch. If the fan works then you are good to go. At least 1 if not both of the black wires that are disconnected from the combo are likely live. If you have an electrical tester you can determine if one or both is live. Keep them capped and put them back in the box when you install the GFCI outlet....See Moregfci breaker + gfci receptacles?
Comments (13)I appreciate all the suggestions and information and will pass them along to my friend who is currently without internet access. The permit inspector came out for a field check and gave him several different options but would not say which is better, just what would be acceptable, so we're just doing some resarch. bigbird: Good tip on keeping the fridge etc. off of the GFCI. Nothing like waking up to melting ice cream and warm milk. billhart: interesting information. The AFCI breakers will only go on the bedroom circuits as per code requirement here. homeinspector: not sure if I'm understanding you correctly but this will be an interior application. Not sure if the GFCI breaker would still be more sensitive here and make a GFCI receptacle unnecessary. peter racer: sorry for not being clearer. The GFCIs and AFCIs are separate breakers, not the combos. This is an old house with Siemens breakers....See Morewiring non-gfci in gfci outlet box (i know, flame suit on!)
Comments (11)Thanks guys. The system consists of autonomous switch replacements throughout the house which 'listen' for pulses sent along the neutral line. Technology is called UPB and is very common in home automation. Effectively this would be like installing a nightlight replacement in the outlet or something like that. Very low power draw device that does not control any load. Admitted I don't understand the inner workings of the GFCI system. Home is 3 years old and there are probably 12 GFI outlets throughout the kitchen and island area. I just wanted to pull power from one of them, hoping to simply 'jump' or connect the gfci from this outlet as if it were never there. I appreciate the advice and warnings though. I certainly have no desire to make the home unsafe....See MoreRefrigerator kicking off GFCI outlet
Comments (15)txmat -- re your question about GFCI units with a "built in delay," I suspect those are for higher voltage industrial applications and are for protecting machinery rather than protecting persons which is what residential GFCIs are for. What you might want to look for instead is (I think) called a "hospital grade" GFCI. Not time delayed, but more robustly built and less likely to be tripped by the fridge. You probably want to look for a 20 amp version. A brand name is Leviton. (There may well be others, that's just the one that came to mind.) That should help with a search for models and vendors. So, use one of those to replace the existing GFCI per Weed's suggestion. If one of those does not solve the problem, you might try posting your question in the Electrical Wiring Forum here. Also, if your "new to you" house/garage was built before 2010, there may be lesser requirements for GFCI in the garage and you might be able to have the fridge circuit without a GFCI. My recollection is new construction now requires GFCIs for absolutely everything in a garage (except maybe dedicated light circuits) but that prior to 2010, the NEC and IRC allowed you to have a dedicated non-GFCI circuit for a freezer or fridge. So, maybe permissible if you plate over the existing first outlet and remove the outside outlet. (No help if that's the only circuit to the garage). If built prior to, I think 2003, codes may have permitted that line go to other outlets as long as the downstream outlets were GFCI. I don't claim to be any kind of code expert, but hopefully this this helps for further research and is another reason to check out the wiring forum....See Morerandy427
7 years agomike_kaiser_gw
7 years agoRon Natalie
7 years agoschreibdave
7 years agoRon Natalie
7 years agorandy427
7 years agoRon Natalie
7 years ago
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