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GFCI first in circuit? The Other Funk 07-07-2006
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Posted by The Other Funk on July 7, 2006, 1:57 pm
I know that in order to protect all the outlets downstream the GFCI outlet
needs to be the first outlet in the chain. But I keep reading that the GFCI
must be the first outlet after the service panel. I DAGS but I can't find
anything that says it's mandatory.
So why can't I put the GFCI as the second outlet for protection there and
the 3rd outlet. I know I wouldn't have the protection in the first on but
that is going to be a major hassle to replace because I would have to rip
out the box because it is too shallow. Besides that outlet is inside the
house and the two I want to protect are outside. I know that it's probably
not up to code that way. But that is how it's been wired for at least 15
years.
Bob
--
--
Coffee worth staying up for - NY Times
www.moondoggiecoffee.com


Posted by Jeff Wisnia on July 7, 2006, 2:58 pm
The Other Funk wrote:

> I know that in order to protect all the outlets downstream the GFCI
> outlet needs to be the first outlet in the chain. But I keep reading
> that the GFCI must be the first outlet after the service panel. I DAGS
> but I can't find anything that says it's mandatory.
> So why can't I put the GFCI as the second outlet for protection there
> and the 3rd outlet. I know I wouldn't have the protection in the first
> on but that is going to be a major hassle to replace because I would
> have to rip out the box because it is too shallow. Besides that outlet
> is inside the house and the two I want to protect are outside. I know
> that it's probably not up to code that way. But that is how it's been
> wired for at least 15 years.
> Bob

I've got a couple I wired that way when I replaced unprotected outside
recepticals with GFCIs in good weatherproof boxes. I'd chopped into
enough extension cords with my old aluminum bodied B&D hedge trimmer
over the years that I figgered my luck couldn't hold out forever and I'd
better put those GFCIs in. <G>

I can't think of any electrical reason why those aren't "safe", as the
outlets upstream of them are in locations which wouldn't require GFCI
recepticals, but YMMV with your local inspector.

HTH,

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
"Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength."

Posted by z on July 7, 2006, 3:21 pm

The Other Funk wrote:
> I know that in order to protect all the outlets downstream the GFCI outlet
> needs to be the first outlet in the chain. But I keep reading that the GFCI
> must be the first outlet after the service panel. I DAGS but I can't find
> anything that says it's mandatory.
> So why can't I put the GFCI as the second outlet for protection there and
> the 3rd outlet. I know I wouldn't have the protection in the first on but
> that is going to be a major hassle to replace because I would have to rip
> out the box because it is too shallow. Besides that outlet is inside the
> house and the two I want to protect are outside. I know that it's probably
> not up to code that way. But that is how it's been wired for at least 15
> years.
> Bob
> --
> --
> Coffee worth staying up for - NY Times
> www.moondoggiecoffee.com

I **imagine** that would be perfectly OK; when they say first in the
chain, I **assume** them mean if you want all the other outlets to be
protected. After all, electrically anything upstream looks much the
same, whether it's between the GFCI and the breaker box, or connected
via another breaker, it's all in parallel.


Posted by buffalobill on July 7, 2006, 3:21 pm
you can buy an extension ring in the wiremold section of the electrical
dept to help with making a small electrical box bigger by extending it
into the room a bit.
"the code" is to protect your life but varies depending on your
address. maybe replace the breaker with a gfi breaker. maybe just add a
gfi outlet for indoor or outdoor circuits. EVEN IF THERE IS NO GROUND
WIRE it offers extra protection.
see also gfi electrical faq at:
http://www.landfield.com/faqs/electrical-wiring/part1/
see even more thorough details with pictures at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_fault_circuit_interrupter

The Other Funk wrote:
> I know that in order to protect all the outlets downstream the GFCI outlet
> needs to be the first outlet in the chain. But I keep reading that the GFCI
> must be the first outlet after the service panel. I DAGS but I can't find
> anything that says it's mandatory.
> So why can't I put the GFCI as the second outlet for protection there and
> the 3rd outlet. I know I wouldn't have the protection in the first on but
> that is going to be a major hassle to replace because I would have to rip
> out the box because it is too shallow. Besides that outlet is inside the
> house and the two I want to protect are outside. I know that it's probably
> not up to code that way. But that is how it's been wired for at least 15
> years.
> Bob
> --
> --
> Coffee worth staying up for - NY Times
> www.moondoggiecoffee.com


Posted by PipeDown on July 7, 2006, 6:24 pm

>I know that in order to protect all the outlets downstream the GFCI outlet
>needs to be the first outlet in the chain. But I keep reading that the GFCI
>must be the first outlet after the service panel. I DAGS but I can't find
>anything that says it's mandatory.
> So why can't I put the GFCI as the second outlet for protection there and
> the 3rd outlet. I know I wouldn't have the protection in the first on but
> that is going to be a major hassle to replace because I would have to rip
> out the box because it is too shallow. Besides that outlet is inside the
> house and the two I want to protect are outside. I know that it's
> probably not up to code that way. But that is how it's been wired for at
> least 15 years.
> Bob
> --
> --
> Coffee worth staying up for - NY Times
> www.moondoggiecoffee.com
>

Its perfectly fine to protect just part of a branch curcuit with GFCI so
long as the unportected receptacles aren't required to be GFCI for an
independent reason (outdoor, kitchen, bath, etc). You don't need to label
the unportected receptacle as being so but you should label the downstream
ones as connected to GFCI using the provided stickers if for no other reason
than to remind you to look for the reset button before going to the breaker
box.

You could also replace the breakers in your box with GFCI but they cost a
bit more than a receptacle.



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