How to Install a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)

[ThePRburgers]

I wouldn't use a light bulb to test the voltage, what if the light bulb doesn't work or it fails? Use a meter at all times. Not to mention he didn't test the bottom portion of the receptacle.....I'm sure he's a nice guy though. :)

[mrbee2828]

This is a terrible video. First off, you just showed testing for power with a nightlight that has a solar sensor on it. Of course it's not going to come on.... the lights in the room are on! If you are going to do something like this spend $5 on a cheap tester and do it right. Second, never you the dummy sticks on the back. They can pop out with a decent surge. This recently happened on our house built in the 70s. Take another 30secs and do it right with the screws.

[mervin233]

I would never trust a night light or even tester in the receptacle. What if the receptacle was faulty even though the lines had power in them? I would always shut the power off and then test the wires before doing anything. This way there can be absolutely no way to be shocked.

[michaelalanlee]

Nice 2 minute video, but if this is targeted to the inexperienced home owner, then it should be 3 minutes with some warnings about what can go wrong. Other comments have already alluded to such issues. Once the cover is off, there are a few circumstances when the inexperienced should just put the cover back on and call for help. What if there is no ground wire? What if this is really old and it is knob and tube wiring? What if the wires are too short to work with? What if it is a junction?

[SuperComputerMonkey]

Yeah, the night light doesn't come on because the light sensor senses light :p

[ronhazelton]

Here's a quote from GFCI.net: "A GFCI outlet (or ground fault circuit interrupt outlet) is an electrical outlet that protects against electrical shock, often in wet areas such as bathrooms .... The GFCI outlet monitors the amount of current flowing from the hot wire to the neutral wire, and trips the circuit if it finds a difference. This can be as little as 5 milliamps and in as little as 30 milliseconds.

[The1Ledgewalker]

@ronhazelton a little off topic but, I have a 35 year old home with this phenomena outlet problem. At times some work, and other times they don’t, in various different rooms. Is this a ground problem? How can I backtrack to find where the trouble is, or is this for a professional. I know my limitations ): Thanks, and watch the show often...

[paul700grizzly]

wrong circuit breaker is for protecting the wire from overload and burning up. gfci is to protect the equiptment

[4x4PROX]

Hey Ron, great clips!

How do you add ground wire to and old building wiring system? We are buying a house built in 1943, none of the power outlets has ground wire.

[paul700grizzly]

GFCI protection is not for personal protection, its for equipment protection. But otherwise very good video

[Paramedic18791]

@paul700grizzly

Protective equipment:

Circuit breaker is for protecting equipment

GFCI is for protecting people

[thejoe9t]

i wouldnt rely on the night light method,also would have doubled end of conductor over as solid drawn copper is not as strong as stranded copper.

[tittlemouse1969]

Be sure to check the night light (if you have no circuit tester) in a working outlet first to make sure the bulb is good. He did say a "working" nightlight. But, he didn't suggets testing the bulb first. Also, I would leave the light in while testng the GFCI; it's an easy way to tell that the circuit is tripping.

[robertdjwizard]

The average Joe will plug in a lamp and when he sees that the light does not come on he will think that theres no power, bad idea!

Get your self a cheap tester from your local hardware supply, double test your tester by put it in a working oulet and avoid getting hurt!!

I'm an HVAC contractor and some electricians out there have very extrange ideas about electricity, small jobs like this one it's OK to give it a try don't mess with the panels or high voltage if you don't have a clue!!

[Gluluman]

@robertdjwizard good advice

[Octobersky1770]

best video I've found on how to replace a gfi - however I wished you had talked about lead and load wires.. thanks again

[Crazyandy202]

and you should use a straight blade to tighten down the screws because the GFI screws loosen up and you get a loose connection then cause arcing. It happened to me as an apprentice and I got reamed out so make sure you tighten down those screws real tight with a straight blade screw driver so you dont get arcing and a potential fire

[killerxiong]

ahah ur always suppose to connect ground first and then neutral and so forth

[schakraburtty]

My outlet has both a red and a black wire - looks like 2 circuits. How do I connect a GFCI in this configuration?

[maltyful]

Sounds like you have a multi wire branch circuit on a split receptacle. A GFI will not work on a shared neutral . You will have to eliminate one of the circuits. Wire nut ether the black or red and just use one circuit or pull new wires.

[ronhazelton]

Yes ... very good point.

[beloit22]

@ronhazelton Thanks for the Instructional !! "Buildapedia" had a similar tutorial, but fastwarded' through the the most critical parts (the removal & installation)........again, THANK YOU!

[santhony]

Make sure to test BOTH spaces on the receptacle - it could be hot on two seperate circuts!