GFCI Receptacle
Product Information: GFCI Receptacle
A GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) receptacle is an
electrical safety device that helps prevent electric shocks. It is
different from conventional receptacles in the sense that it trips
and immediately stops the flow of electricity in the event of a
ground fault to prevent serious injury. A ground fault occurs when
electricity passes through a person’s body to reach the ground,
instead of following its normal safe path. A GFCI receptacle does
not protect against circuit overloads, short circuits, or shocks
due to bare wires on non-conducting surfaces.
The GFCI receptacle has a test button, reset button, LED
indicator light, grounding terminal (green), grounding terminal
back wire slot, LINE white terminal (silver), LOAD white terminal
(silver), LINE hot terminal (brass), LOAD hot terminal (brass), and
mounting bracket.
Product Usage Instructions: Installing and Testing a GFCI
Receptacle
- Read the entire leaflet before starting the installation
process. - Identify the LINE and LOAD cables. The LINE cable delivers
power from the service panel to the GFCI receptacle, while the LOAD
cable delivers power from the GFCI to another receptacle in the
circuit. Connect the LINE cable to the GFCI’s LINE terminals only,
and connect the LOAD cable to the GFCI’s LOAD terminals only. - Ensure that you have no more than four wires or two cables in
the electrical box (excluding grounding wires). If you do, contact
a qualified electrician. - Turn off the power by switching off the breaker or removing the
fuse that protects the receptacle you are working on. Check if the
power is off by plugging in and turning on a lamp or radio into the
other outlet of the receptacle. If the power is not off, stop work
and call an electrician. - If you are replacing an old receptacle, pull it out of the
electrical box without disconnecting the wires. - Detach one cable’s white and hot wires from the receptacle and
cap each one separately with a wire connector. Ensure that they are
from the same cable. - Reinstall the GFCI receptacle in the electrical box, attach the
faceplate, and turn on the power at the service panel. - To test the GFCI, press the test button. The GFCI should trip,
and the LED indicator light should turn off. To reset, press the
reset button. If the GFCI does not trip or reset, replace it with a
new one.
Installing and Testing a GFCI
Receptacle
Please read this leaflet completely before getting started.
· 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 because if the GFCI trips it will shut down the equipment.
· For installation in damp or wet locations, the GFCI receptacle must be listed and marked as Weather Resistant (WR).
· For installation in wet locations, protect the GFCI receptacle with a cover plate or outlet box hood suitable for wet locations that will keep both the receptacle and plug face dry.
· Must be installed in accordance with national and local electrical codes.
1. What is a GFCI?
A GFCI receptacle is different 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: Instead of following its normal safe path, electricity passes through a person’s body to reach the ground. For example, 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, such as a wood floor.
2. The GFCI’s featuresFRONT VIEW
Receptacle
Outlet
Test Button: See step 8 Reset Button: See step 8
Outlet
LED Indicator Light Mounting Bracket
Grounding terminal (Green): Connection for bare copper or green wire
Grounding terminal back wire slot
LINE White terminal (Silver): Connection for the LINE cable’s white wire
LOAD White terminal (Silver): Connection for the LOAD cable’s white wire
BACK VIEW
Screw (terminal) colors: Green = grounding terminal Silver = white terminals Brass = hot terminals
LINE Hot terminal (Brass): Connection for the LINE cable’s black wire
LOAD Hot terminal (Brass): Connection for the LOAD cable’s black wire
3. Should you install it?
4. LINE vs. LOAD
Installing a GFCI receptacle can be more complicated than installing a conventional receptacle.
A cable consists of 2 or 3 wires.
Cable
Wires
Make sure that you:
· Understand basic wiring principles and techniques · Can interpret wiring diagrams · Have circuit wiring experience · Are prepared to take a few minutes to test your work, making sure that you have wired the GFCI receptacle correctly
23e
Rev.2
LINE cable: Delivers power from the service panel (breaker panel or fuse box) to the GFCI. If there is only one cable entering the electrical box, it is the LINE cable. This cable should be connected to the GFCI’s LINE terminals only.
LOAD cable: Delivers power from the GFCI to another receptacle in the circuit. This cable should be connected to the GFCI’s LOAD terminals only.
5. Turn the power OFF
Plug an electrical device, such as a lamp or radio, into the receptacle on which you are working. Turn the lamp or radio on. Then, go to the service panel. Find the breaker or fuse that protects that receptacle. Place the breaker in the OFF position or completely remove the fuse. The lamp or radio should turn OFF.
Next, plug in and turn ON the lamp or radio at the receptacle’s other outlet to make sure the power is OFF at both outlets. If the power is not OFF, stop work and call an electrician to complete the installation.
6. Identify cables/wires
Important: DO not install the GFCI receptacle in an electrical box containing (a) more than 4 wires (not including the grounding wires) or (b) cables with more than two wires (not including the grounding wire). Contact a qualified electrician if either (a) or (b) is true.
If you are replacing an old receptacle, pull it out of the electrical box without disconnecting the wires.
· If you see one cable (2-3 wires), it is the LINE cable. The receptacle is probably in position C (see diagram to the right). Remove the receptacle and go to step 7A.
· If you see two cables (4-6 wires), the receptacle is probably in position A or B (see diagram to the right). Follow steps a-e of the procedure to the right.
Procedure: box with two cables (4-6 wires)
(a) Detach one cable’s white and hot wires from the receptacle and cap each one separately with a wire connector. Make sure that they are from the same cable.
(b) Re-install the receptacle in the electrical box, attach the faceplate, then turn the power ON at the service panel.
(c) Determine if power is flowing to the receptacle. If so the capped wires are the LOAD wires. If not the capped wires are the LINE wires.
(d) Turn the power OFF at the service panel, label the LINE and LOAD wires, then remove the receptacle.
(e) Go to step 7B.
Placement in circuit: The GFCI’s place in the circuit determines if it protects other receptacles in the circuit. Sample circuit:
Service Panel
Placing the GFCI in position A will also provide protection to “load side” receptacles B and C. On the other hand, placing the GFCI in position C will not provide protection to receptacles A or B. Remember that receptacles A, B and C can be in different rooms.
7. Connect the wires (choose A or B)… only after reading other side completely
A: One cable (2 or 3 wires) entering the box
B: Two cables (4 or 6 wires) entering the box
Ground connection to box (if box has a ground terminal)
LINE cable brings power to the GFCI
LINE cable brings power to the GFCI
Grounding connection to box (if box has a ground terminal)
Wire connector
Wire connector
Electrical box
About wire connections: Screw Terminal Wire
Back Wire Holes Wire
2. Securely tighten
Side Wire
screw beneath wire
Clockwise, 2/3 of the hole to retain way around screw. inserted wire
Wire binding screw
terminal tightening
torque 14 lb-in.
Connect the LINE cable wires to the LINE terminals: · The white wire connects to the White terminal (Silver) · The black wire connects to the Hot terminal (Brass)
1. Insert wire to bottom of hole
Connect the grounding wire (only if there is a grounding wire): · For a box with no grounding terminal: (diagram not shown) Connect the LINE cable’s
bare copper (or green) wire directly to the grounding terminal on the GFCI receptacle. · For a box with a grounding terminal: (diagram shown above) Connect a 6-inch bare
copper (or green) 12 or 14 AWG wire to the grounding terminal (green) on the GFCI. Also connect a similar wire to the grounding terminal on the box. Connect the ends of these wires to the LINE cable’s bare copper (or green) wire using a wire connector. If these wires are already in place, check the connections.
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. · Go to step 8.
Electrical box
LOAD cable feeds power to other receptacle(s)
About wire connections: Screw Terminal Wire
Back Wire Holes Wire
2. Securely tighten
Side Wire
screw beneath wire
Clockwise, 2/3 of the hole to retain way around screw. inserted wire
Wire binding screw
terminal tightening
torque 14 lb-in.
Connect the LINE cable wires to the LINE terminals: · The white wire connects to the White terminal (Silver) · The black wire connects to the Hot terminal (Brass)
1. Insert wire to bottom of hole
Connect the LOAD cable wires to the LOAD terminals: · The white wire connects to the White terminal (Silver) · The black wire connects to the Hot terminal (Brass)
Connect the grounding wires as shown above (only if there is a grounding wire): · Connect a 6-inch bare copper (or green) 12 or 14 AWG wire to the grounding terminal
(green) on the GFCI. If the box has a grounding terminal, also connect a similar wire to the grounding terminal on the box. Connect the ends of these wires to the LINE and LOAD cable’s bare copper (or green) wire using a wire connector. If these wires are already in place, check the connections.
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. · Go to step 8.
8. Test your work
Why perform this test? · If you miswired the GFCI, it may not prevent personal injury or death due to a
ground fault (electrical shock). · If you mistakenly connect the line wires to the Load terminals, the GFCI will
provide no power.
Procedure:
(a) Turn the power ON at the service panel. Press the RESET button fully. The RESET button should stay in. The LED load side voltage indicator will illuminate green in color. If the RESET button does not stay in, go to Troubleshooting. If the RESET button stays in, plug a lamp or radio into the GFCI (and leave it plugged in) to verify that the power is ON. If there is no power, go to Troubleshooting.
(b) Press the TEST button in order to trip the device. This should stop the flow of electricity, making the radio or lamp shut OFF. The Green LED load side voltage indicator will turn OFF. Note that the RESET button will pop-out. If the power stays ON, go to Troubleshooting. If the power goes OFF, you have installed the GFCI receptacle correctly. To restore power, press the RESET button.
(c) If you installed your GFCI using step 7B, plug a lamp or radio into surrounding receptacles to see which one(s), in addition to the GFCI, lost power when you pressed the TEST button. Do Not plug life saving devices into any of the receptacles that lost power. Place a “GFCI PROTECTED OUTLET” sticker on every receptacle that lost power. Then press the RESET button to reset the GFCI.
(d) Press the TEST button(then RESET button)every month to assure proper operation. If the GFCI can not be reset, then it must be replaced.
(e) This is an auto-monitoring GFCI receptacle. It conducts an automatic test every 5 seconds, ensuring it is always ready to provide protection. The GFCI receptacle has reached its end of life when the GFCI: 1 repeatedly trips when RESET is attempted 2 does not permit power to the load with an audible “clicking” sound or 3 denial of power to the load (trip with the inability to RESET).
TROUBLESHOOTING
Turn the power OFF and check the wire connections against the appropriate wiring diagram in step 7A or 7B. Make sure that there are no loose wires or loose connections. Also, it is possible that you reversed the LINE and LOAD connections. LINE/LOAD reversal will be indicated by power remaining OFF at the GFCI Face and by the Reset Button not staying in. Reverse the LINE and LOAD connections if necessary. Start the test from the beginning of step 8 if you rewired any connections to the GFCI.
General Information
GFCI Receptacle Rating: 125VAC, 15A Contact: Harbor Freight Tools, 26677 Agoura Road, Calabasas, CA 57958 UPC 193175508638.
Warranty: Harbor Freight Tools Co. makes every effort to assure that its products meet high quality and durability standards, and warrants to the original purchaser that this product is free from defects in materials and workmanship for the period of 90 days from the date of purchase. This warranty does not apply to damage due directly or indirectly, to misuse, abuse, negligence or accidents, repairs or alterations outside our facilities, criminal activity, improper installation, normal wear and tear, or to lack of maintenance. We shall in no event be liable for death, injuries to persons or property, or for incidental, contingent, special or consequential damages arising from the use of our product. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential
damages, so the above limitation of exclusion may not apply to you. THIS WARRANTY IS EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS.
To take advantage of this warranty, the product or part must be returned to us with transportation charges prepaid. Proof of purchase date and an explanation of the complaint must accompany the merchandise. If our inspection verifies the defect, we will either repair or replace the product at our election or we may elect to refund the purchase price if we cannot readily and quickly provide you with a replacement. We will return repaired products at our expense, but if we determine there is no defect, or that the defect resulted from causes not within the scope of our warranty, then you must bear the cost of returning the product.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
