Installing and Testing a GFCI Receptacle

Should You Install It?

Installing a GFCI receptacle can be more complicated than installing a conventional receptacle. Ensure you:

• Understand basic wiring principles and techniques.
• Can interpret wiring diagrams.
• Have circuit wiring experience.
• Are prepared to take time to test your work and ensure correct wiring.

⚠️ CAUTION

• To prevent severe shock or electrocution, always turn the power OFF at the service panel before working with wiring.
• Use this GFCI receptacle with copper or copper-clad wire. Do not use it with aluminum wire.
• Do not install this GFCI receptacle on a circuit that powers life support equipment, as tripping the GFCI will shut down the equipment.
• For installation in wet locations, protect the GFCI receptacle with a weatherproof cover to keep the receptacle and plugs dry.
• Must be installed in accordance with national and local electrical codes.

1. What is a GFCI?

A GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) receptacle differs from conventional receptacles. In the event of a ground fault, a GFCI will trip and quickly stop the flow of electricity to prevent serious injury.

Definition of a ground fault: Electricity passes through a person's body to reach the ground, instead of following its normal safe path. A defective appliance can cause a ground fault.

A GFCI receptacle does not protect against circuit overloads, short circuits, or shocks. For example, you can still be shocked if you touch bare wires while standing on a non-conducting surface (e.g., a wood floor).

2. The GFCI's Features

Front View Description:

The front of the GFCI receptacle features two outlets, a "TEST" button, a "RESET" button, and a "correct wiring/trip indicator" light. It also includes a mounting bracket.

Back View Description:

The back of the GFCI receptacle has several terminals:

• Grounding Terminal (Green): For connecting bare copper or green wire.
• LINE White Terminal (Silver): For connecting the LINE cable's white wire.
• LINE Hot Terminal (Brass): For connecting the LINE cable's black wire.
• LOAD White Terminal (Silver): For connecting the LOAD cable's white wire.
• LOAD Hot Terminal (Brass): For connecting the LOAD cable's black wire.

Terminal Screw Colors: Green = grounding terminal, Silver = white terminals, Brass = hot terminals.

A yellow sticker covers the LOAD terminals; do not remove it until instructed.

4. LINE vs. LOAD

A cable typically consists of 2 or 3 wires (hot, neutral, and sometimes ground).

LINE cable: Delivers power from the service panel (breaker panel or fuse box) to the GFCI. If only one cable enters the electrical box, it is the LINE cable. This cable connects to the GFCI's LINE terminals only.

LOAD cable: Delivers power from the GFCI to other receptacles in the circuit. This cable connects to the GFCI's LOAD terminals only (initially covered by the yellow sticker).

5. Turn the Power OFF

Plug an electrical device (e.g., a lamp or radio) into the receptacle you are working on and turn it ON. Go to the service panel, find the breaker or fuse protecting that receptacle, and turn it OFF or remove the fuse. The device must turn OFF.

Next, plug in and turn ON the device at the receptacle's other outlet to confirm power is OFF at both outlets. If power is not OFF, stop and call an electrician.

6. Identify Cables/Wires

Important: Do not install the GFCI receptacle in an electrical box containing more than 4 wires (excluding ground wires) or cables with more than two wires (excluding ground wire). Contact a qualified electrician if these conditions apply.

If replacing an old receptacle, pull it out without disconnecting wires.

• If one cable (2-3 wires) is present: This is likely the LINE cable. The receptacle is probably in position C (see diagram description below). Proceed to Step 7A.
• If two cables (4-6 wires) are present: Follow the procedure below. The receptacle is likely in position A or B (see diagram description below).

Procedure for a box with two cables (4-6 wires):

1. Detach one cable's white and hot wires from the old receptacle and cap them separately with wire connectors. Ensure they belong to the same cable.
2. Re-install the old receptacle in the box, attach the faceplate, and turn the power ON at the service panel.
3. Determine if power is flowing to the receptacle. If yes, the capped wires are the LOAD wires. If no, the capped wires are the LINE wires.
4. Turn the power OFF at the service panel, label the LINE and LOAD wires, and remove the receptacle.
5. Proceed to Step 7B.

Placement in Circuit Diagram Description:

The GFCI's position in the circuit determines which receptacles it protects. Placing the GFCI in position A (where the LINE cable connects to LINE and the LOAD cable connects to LOAD) will also protect downstream receptacles B and C. Placing the GFCI in position C (where only the LINE cable connects to LINE) will not provide protection to receptacles A or B. Receptacles A, B, and C can be in different rooms.

7. Connect the Wires

(Choose A or B, only after reading the other side completely)

A: One cable (2 or 3 wires) entering the box

Connections:

• Connect the LINE cable wires to the LINE terminals:
  • White wire to the White terminal (Silver).
  • Black wire to the Hot terminal (Brass).
• Connect the grounding wire (if present):
  • For a box with no grounding terminal: Connect the LINE cable's bare copper (or green) wire directly to the GFCI's grounding terminal.
  • For a box with a grounding terminal: Connect a 6-inch bare copper (or green) 12 or 14 AWG wire to the GFCI's grounding terminal. Also connect a similar wire to the box's grounding terminal. Connect the ends of these wires to the LINE cable's bare copper (or green) wire using a wire connector. Check existing connections if wires are already in place.

Wire Connection Methods:

• Sidewire: Strip 7/8 inch (2.22 cm) of insulation. Wrap the wire clockwise around the screw terminal, 2/3 of the way around, and tighten firmly.
• Backwire: Insert the bare end fully into the terminal opening and tighten the screw firmly.

Complete the installation:

• Fold the wires into the box, keeping the grounding wire away from the White and Hot terminals.
• Screw the receptacle to the box and attach the faceplate.
• Proceed to Step 8.

B: Two cables (4 or 6 wires) entering the box

Connections:

• Connect the LINE cable wires to the LINE terminals:
  • White wire to the White terminal (Silver).
  • Black wire to the Hot terminal (Brass).
• Connect the LOAD cable wires to the LOAD terminals:
  • Remove the yellow sticker to reveal the LOAD terminals.
  • White wire to the White terminal (Silver).
  • Black wire to the Hot terminal (Brass).
• Connect the grounding wires (if present):
  • Connect a 6-inch bare copper (or green) 12 or 14 AWG wire to the GFCI's grounding terminal.
  • If the box has a grounding terminal, also connect a similar wire to the box's grounding terminal.
  • Connect the ends of these wires to the LINE and LOAD cable's bare copper (or green) wires using a wire connector. Check existing connections if wires are already in place.

Wire Connection Methods:

• Sidewire: Strip 7/8 inch (2.22 cm) of insulation. Wrap the wire clockwise around the screw terminal, 2/3 of the way around, and tighten firmly.
• Backwire: Insert the bare end fully into the terminal opening and tighten the screw firmly.

Complete the installation:

• Fold the wires into the box, keeping the grounding wire away from the White and Hot terminals.
• Screw the receptacle to the box and attach the faceplate.
• Proceed to Step 8.

8. Test Your Work

Why perform this test? If you miswire the GFCI, it may not prevent personal injury or death due to a ground fault (electric shock).

Upon initial installation, if LINE wires are mistakenly connected to LOAD terminals, this Eaton GFCI will not reset and will not provide power to its receptacle face or load terminals.

Procedure:

1. Turn the power ON at the service panel. Press the RESET button fully. Plug a lamp or radio into the GFCI and leave it plugged in to verify power is ON. If there is no power, refer to Troubleshooting.
2. Press the TEST button to trip the device. This should stop the flow of electricity, turning OFF the radio or lamp and activating the yellow Correct Wiring/Trip Indicator. To restore power, press the RESET button.
3. If you installed using Step 7B (two cables), plug a lamp or radio into surrounding receptacles to see which ones also lost power when you pressed the TEST button. Do not plug life-saving devices into receptacles that lost power. Place a "GFCI Protected" sticker on every receptacle that lost power.
4. Press the TEST button (then RESET button) every month to ensure proper operation.
5. Note that this Eaton GFCI is shipped in the Tripped state and cannot be reset until it is wired correctly and powered from its LINE terminals.
6. The RESET button will pop out. If the power goes OFF and the correct wiring/trip indicator stays ON, you have installed the GFCI receptacle correctly.
7. LINE/LOAD reversal will be indicated by the RESET button not staying in after being pressed. This reversal will also be indicated by the Correct Wiring/Trip Indicator failing to be ON while the GFCI is tripped.

Troubleshooting

Turn the power OFF and check wire connections against the appropriate wiring diagram in Step 7A or 7B. Ensure there are no loose wires or connections.

It is possible that you reversed the LINE and LOAD connections. Reverse them if necessary. Restart the test from the beginning of Step 8 if you rewired any connections.

NOTE: If this EATON GFCI has tripped and can no longer be reset, it has reached its "End of Life" and will no longer provide power. Replace with the same model EATON GFCI to continue providing ground fault protection.

GFCI Ratings

• 15A-125V AC Duplex Receptacle
• 20A-125V AC Duplex Receptacle
• 20A-125V AC Blank Face
• All rated 20A feed-through
• 125V Class A

General Information: Eaton's Limited 2 Year Warranty

EATON warrants its Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) to be free of defects in materials and workmanship in normal use and service for a period of two years from the date of original purchase.

This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, obligations, or liabilities, expressed or implied, including any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose that exceeds two years from the date of original consumer purchase. No agent, representative, or employee of Eaton has authority to increase or alter Eaton's obligations under this warranty.

To obtain warranty service for a properly installed Eaton GFCI that proves defective in normal use, send the defective GFCI prepaid and insured to: Quality Control Dept., EATON, 203 Cooper Circle, Peachtree City, GA 30269.

Eaton will repair or replace the defective unit at its option. Eaton is not responsible under this warranty if examination shows the defect was caused by misuse, abuse, improper installation, alteration, improper maintenance, or damage in shipment to Eaton.

Eaton shall have no responsibility for the installation of the GFCI, or for any personal injury, property damage, or any special, incidental, contingent, or consequential damages of any kind resulting from defects in the GFCI or its failure to function in the event of a ground fault on its protected circuit, or for breach of any express or implied warranty on this product.

The exclusive remedy for breach of this limited warranty is the repair or replacement of the defective product at Eaton's option. Implied warranties (if any), including but not limited to implied warranties of fitness for a particular purpose and merchantability, are limited in duration to two years from the date of original consumer purchase. In no case shall Eaton's liability under any other remedy prescribed by law exceed the purchase price.

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages or limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitations may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

Read enclosed instructions carefully.