Page 1
Wiring Systems
Installing and
Testing a GFCI
Receptacle
Please read this leaflet
completely before get-
ting started
PD2490 (Page 1) (English) 09/11
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 because if the GFCI trips
it will shut down the equipment.
• For installation in wet locations,
protect the GFCI receptacle with a
weatherproof cover that will keep
both the receptacle and any plugs
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
circuit overloads, short circuits, or shocks.
For example, you can still be shocked if you
touch bare wires while standing on a nonconducting surface, such as a wood floor.
not protect against
2. The GFCI’s features
FRONT VIEW
Receptacle
Outlet
TEST button:
See step 8
RESET button:
See step 8
Outlet
Mounting
bracket
Grounding terminal
(Green): Connection
for bare copper or
green wire.
LINE
White terminal (Silver):
Connection for the LINE
cable’s white wire.
Light Emitting Diode
(LED)
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.
A yellow sticker covers the
LOAD terminals. Do not
remove the sticker at this
time.
3. Should you install it?
Installing a GFCI receptacle can be more
complicated than installing a conventional
receptacle.
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
4. LINE vs. LOAD
A cable consists of 2 or 3 wires.
Cable Wires
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. The LOAD terminals are under the
yellow sticker. Do not remove the sticker at
this time.
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
A B C
LINE LINE
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.
LINE
LOADLOAD
Page 2
7. Connect the wires (choose A or B) ... only after reading other side completely
A: One cable (2 or 3 wires) entering the box OR B: Two cables (4 or 6 wires) entering the box
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).
LINE cable brings
power to the GFCI
Grounding connection
to box (if box has a
grounding terminal)
Wire
connector
Electrical box
About wire connections
Side Wire
Wire
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)
Connect the grounding wire (only if there is a grounding wire):
• For a box with no grounding terminal: (diagram not shown) Connect the LINE
• For a box with a grounding terminal: (diagram shown above) Connect a 6-inch
Complete the installation:
• Fold the wires into the box, keeping the grounding wire away from the White
• Go to step 8
1 inch
Clockwise, 2/3 of the
way around the screw
cable’s bare copper (or green) wire directly to the grounding terminal on the
GFCI receptacle.
bare copper (or green) 12 or 14 AWG wire to the grounding terminal on the GFCI.
Also connect a similar wire to the groundomg 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.
and Hot terminals. Screw the receptacle to the box and attach the faceplate.
Wire
Insert wire behind the
back wire clamp and
tighten down screw
½ inch
Yellow sticker
remains in
place to cover
the LOAD
terminals
Back Wire
LINE cable brings
power to the GFCI
Wire
connector
Electrical
box
LOAD
cable feeds
power to other
receptacle(s)
Grounding connection
to box (if box has a
grounding terminal)
About wire connections
Side Wire
Wire
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)
Connect the LOAD cable wires to the LOAD terminals:
• Remove the yellow sticker to reveal 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 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
1 inch
Clockwise, 2/3 of the
way around the screw
Wire
Insert wire behind the
back wire clamp and
tighten down screw
½ inch
Back Wire
Procedure:
(a) Turn the power ON at the service panel. Press the RESET button
fully. The GFCI cannot be reset until it is wired correctly and
power is supplied to the device. 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. 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. If the red Light Emitting
Diode (LED) begins to flash, or if the GFCI cannot be reset, the
receptacle has lost its GFCI protection and should be replaced
immediately.
(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 receptacles that lost power. Place a
“GFCI Protected” sticker on every receptacle that lost power.
(d) Press the TEST button (then RESET button) every month to assure proper operation.
RESET BUTTON MUST BE FULLY DEPRESSED FOR FULL ENGAGEMENT.
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 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: 20 Amps, 120 Volts 60 Hz
Wiring Device-Kellems
Hubbell Incorporated (Delaware)
Shelton, CT 06484
1-800-288-6000
www.hubbell-wiring.com
PD2490 (Page 2) (English) 09/11
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