LEGRAND GFCI Installing And Testing

• 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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

Self-Test GFCI Receptacle with
SafeLock Protection

This is a Self-Test GFCI Receptacle
with SafeLock™ Protection; it

conducts an automatic test every three
seconds, ensuring it’s always ready 
to protect. If the device fails the test,
the indicator light flashes to signal
that the GFCI should be replaced.
It also has our proven SafeLock
Protection feature: if critical
components are damaged and
protection is lost, power to this
receptacle, and any downstream
receptacles, will be disconnected.

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.

2. The GFCI’s features

ABC

LINE

LOAD

Service

Panel

LOAD

LINE LINE

FRONT VIEW

Screw (terminal) colors:
Green = grounding terminals
Silver = white terminals
Brass = hot terminals

BACK VIEW

Installing and

Testing a

GFCI Receptacle

!

CAUTION

P.O. Box 4822 [phone]
Syracuse, NY 13221 www.legrand.us

For covering patents, see www.legrand.us/patents
Nº 341082

Please read this leaflet

completely before

getting started.

Receptacle

Outlet

Reset button:
See step 8

Indicator
Light

TEST button:
See step 8

Outlet

Mounting
bracket

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.

Grounding terminal
(Green): Connection
for bare copper or
green wire

LINE
White terminal
(Silver): Connection

for the LINE cable’s 

white wire

LOAD
White terminal
(Silver): Connection

for the LOAD cable’s 

white wire

4. LINE vs. LOAD

A cable consists of 2 or 3 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.

About wire connections:

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.

A: One cable (2 or 3 wires) entering the box B: Two cables (4 or 6 wires) entering the box

OU

About wire connections:

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

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 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.

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).

Procedure:

(a) Turn the power ON at the service panel. Press the RESET button

fully. The RESET button should stay in. 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
and the GFCI’s red Indicator  Light (if present) come on.  Note 
that the RESET button will pop-out. If the power stays ON, or the
red Indicator Light stays off, go to Troubleshooting. If the power
goes OFF, and the red Indicator Light comes on, 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 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.
(e) This is a Self-Test GFCI Receptacle with SafeLock Protection™; it conducts

an automatic test every three  seconds, ensuring it’s always ready  to protect. If 

the device fails the test, the indicator light flashes to signal that the GFCI should
be replaced. It also has our proven SafeLock Protection feature: if critical
components are damaged and protection is lost, power to this receptacle,
and any downstream receptacles, will be disconnected.

7. Connect the wires (choose A or B)… only after reading other side completely

Screw Terminal

Wire

1 inch

Side Wire

Clockwise,
2/3 of the way
around screw

LINE cable brings
power to the GFCI

Grounding connection
to box (if box has a
grounding terminal)

Wire

connector

Electrical

box

LOAD cable

feeds power to

other receptacles

Screw Terminal

Wire

1 inch

Back Wire Holes

Wire

.5 inch

Back Wire Holes

Wire

.5 inch

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 no power at the GFCI and by the RESET button not staying

in when pressed, or by the red Indicator Light remaining off after you press the GFCI’s

TEST button. 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.

Side Wire

Clockwise,
2/3 of the way
around screw

Back Wire

2. Securely
tighten screw
beneath wire
hole to retain
inserted wire.

1. Insert wire
to bottom
of hole.

Back Wire

2. Securely
tighten screw
beneath wire
hole to retain
inserted wire.

1. Insert wire
to bottom
of hole.

LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY

Pass & Seymour will remedy any defect in workmanship or material in Pass & Seymour products which may develop under
proper and normal use within one year from date of purchase by a consumer:

(1) by repair or replacement, or, at Pass &  Seymour’s option, (2) by return of an amount equal  to consumer’s purchase price. 

Such remedy is IN LIEU OF ANY AND ALL EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Such remedy by Pass & Seymour does not include or cover cost of labor for removal
or reinstallation of the product. ALL OTHER FURTHER ELEMENTS OF DAMAGE (INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES) FOR BREACH OF ANY AND ALL EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE EXCLUDED HEREBY. (Some states do not allow
disclaimers or exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above disclaimer and limitation or exclusion
may not apply to you.) ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES INCLUDING WHERE REQUIRED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY
OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE ONE YEAR PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE. (Some
states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation may not apply to you.)

To insure safety, all repairs to Pass & Seymour products must be made by Pass & Seymour, or under its specific direction.
Procedure to obtain performance of any warranty obligation is as follows: (1) Contact Pass & Seymour, Syracuse, New York
13221, for instructions concerning return or repair; (2) return the product to Pass & Seymour, postage paid, with your name and
address and a written description of the installation or use of the Pass & Seymour product, and the observed defects or failure to
operate, or other claimed basis for dissatisfaction.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

Ratings:
15A 125V 60Hz
20A 125V 60Hz

LINE cable brings
power to the GFCI

Grounding connection
to box (if box has a
grounding terminal)

Wire

connector

Electrical

box

Yellow sticker remains
in place to cover the
LOAD terminals