GFI
Hi, I'm going to replace one existing outlet in each circuit with a GFI outlet. Of course, I'll want to replace the first (most upstream) outlet in each circuit so that all downstream outlets will be similarly protected. Short of following the wiring, does anyone know how I can find the first outlet of each circuit? Thanks!
How to find the first outlet in a circuit. I did this in the last house I owned. First, turn the circuit off - using a little electrical power tester thing (two wires and a light) note all the outlets that have no power in them. (it's a good idea to make a drawing of your house and map the outlets) With the power off, go to what you think is probably the first outlet on the run - pull it out of the wall and disconnect the hot wire - put a wirenut on it Turn the power back on and see if any of the other outlets have power - If they are all dead - you have correctly identified the first outlet If only one other outlet has power - then the one with power is the first outlet on the run. If more than one outlet has power - turn the breaker off, put the first outlet back together and disconnect another one, test for power, continue until you have found the one that disconnects all the others. Then, turn the power off, replace that outlet with a GFI and you're done with that circuit. You can bypass all this and just pop in a GFI breaker, but they are more expensive (which is why I used GFI outlets) Have fun! Liz
CLARIFICATION - First, turn the circuit off - then, using a little electrical power tester thing (two wires and a light) note all the outlets that have no power in them. (it's a good idea to make a drawing of your house and map the outlets) With the power still off, go to what you think is probably the first outlet on the run - pull it out of the wall and - DISCONNECT EITHER OF THE BLACK WIRES - put a wirenut on it (it really doesn't matter which one, because all you are doing is interrupting the power flow to the next outlets on the run - you will, however, have to determine which one is the hot one when you go to install the GFI) Turn the power back on and see if any of the other outlets have power - If they are all dead - you have correctly identified the first outlet If only one other outlet has power - then the one with power is the first outlet on the run. If more than one outlet has power - turn the breaker off, put the first outlet back together and disconnect another one, test for power, continue until you have found the one that disconnects all the others. Then, turn the power off, replace that outlet with a GFI and you're done with that circuit. You can bypass all this and just pop in a GFI breaker, but they are more expensive (which is why I used GFI outlets) Have fun! Liz
How to find the first outlet in a circuit. I did this in the last house I owned. First, turn the circuit off - using a little electrical power tester thing (two wires and a light) note all the outlets that have no power in them. (it's a good idea to make a drawing of your house and map the outlets) With the power off, go to what you think is probably the first outlet on the run - pull it out of the wall and disconnect the hot wire - put a wirenut on it Turn the power back on and see if any of the other outlets have power - If they are all dead - you have correctly identified the first outlet If only one other outlet has power - then the one with power is the first outlet on the run. If more than one outlet has power - turn the breaker off, put the first outlet back together and disconnect another one, test for power, continue until you have found the one that disconnects all the others. Then, turn the power off, replace that outlet with a GFI and you're done with that circuit. You can bypass all this and just pop in a GFI breaker, but they are more expensive (which is why I used GFI outlets) Have fun! Liz
NOT TRUE as I understand it! The GFI must be installed upstream of the outlets (maximum of 3 as I recall) to be protected. Joe