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(Q:) Switched light on load side of GFCI outlet

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(Q:) Switched light on load side of GFCI outlet Keith 08-07-2007
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Posted by Keith on August 7, 2007, 8:40 am
(Q:) Switched light on load side of GFCI outlet

I've wired quite a few GFCI outlet but always as a string of
outlets. We recently put in a bathroom, and I ran a new 20 amp
grounded circuit.

I've done a lot of research on GFCI yet I am unclear if I can add a
switched light on the load side of a GFCI outlet?

I initially thought that I would have to pigtail the line side with
separate wires going to the line side of the GFCI and the other set
feeding the switch. Looking at the GFCI concept, the light is still a
load and given this light in total is no more than 150 watts, it seems
as if this should not be an issue.

Am I correct?


Posted by Wayne Whitney on August 7, 2007, 12:49 pm

> I've done a lot of research on GFCI yet I am unclear if I can add a
> switched light on the load side of a GFCI outlet?

Sure, no problem. The only thing that you need to ensure with a GFCI
is that the return path (neutral) for all loads downstream of the GFCI
is back through the GFCI. So if you run the circuit from GFCI load
hot to a switch to a lamp to the GFCI load neutral, that will work
fine. The problem would be if the neutral from the lamp were to
bypass the GFCI, then you'd trip the GFCI whenever you turned the
light on.

Cheers, Wayne


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