How to Wire a GFCI Switch and Light
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How do I add a switch to a light that is on a GFCI circuit? Ground Fault Protection for a Light Fixture. |
Wiring a GFCI Powered Light and Switch
Electrical Question: How do I add a switch to a light that is on a GFCI circuit?
How do I add a light switch to this? I tried the following:
- I have a GFCI, a light switch and a light. My power has a green black and white wire. My light has a green, white and black wire.
- The power black wire connected on the load side of the GFCI. I added another black wire on the bottom outlet same side. I attached this black wire to the top left of the switch.
- I added another black wire from the opposite side of the switch to the black wire for the light.
- I took the white wire from the power and attached it to the top silver screw. From the bottom silver screw I attached it to the white wire of the light.
- I connected the ground wire from the power to the green screw of the box and took the green wire from the light and attached it to another green screw in the box.
This did not work. What did I do wrong?
This electrical wiring question came from Roger in Upland, California.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Roger.
Connecting a Light to a GFCI Outlet
Application: How to Connect GFCI Outlet Wiring to a Switch and Light Fixture.
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate. This electrical project is best performed by a Licensed Electrician or Electrical Contractor.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools and a Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools and the number of GFI outlets that will be added.
Precaution: Identify the bathroom GFCI outlet circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.
Notice: Installing additional GFCI Outlet Wiring should be done according to local and national electrical GFCI Codes with a permit and be inspected.
Ground Fault Protection for a Light Fixture
Using a GFCI outlet is one way to provide ground fault protection for a light fixture when the wire connections are made properly.
- In this application, the GFCI outlet has the power entering the LINE side and extends through the GFCI outlet and is fed out to the circuit from the LOAD side of the GFCI outlet.
- Next, the wiring may extend out to the light switch where only the black power wire is connected through the switch and the white neutral wires are spliced together.
- From the light switch, the circuit wiring may extend to the location of the light fixture where the typical connections are made with the circuit wires and the wires of the light fixture.
- The connections of the ground wire are bonded throughout this circuit and making connections to the GFCI outlet and the light switch and to the light fixture as well as bonding to all the electrical boxes within the circuit.
- Approved circuit components devices must be installed for the specific location as required by code, which would include weather resistant devices, boxes and covers.
More about Wiring a GFCI Outlet
How to Wire GFCI Outlets
GFCI and GFI Wiring Diagrams
The features and benefits of GFCI outlets and receptacles will give you a clear understanding of the importance why these safety devices are required by code to help protect you and your family against accidental electrical shock hazards.
GFCI Wiring
This list of articles will help you learn about the features and benefits provided by GFI and GFCI Receptacles and how they are wired.
Wiring Electrical Outlets for the Home
Home electrical wiring includes 110 volt outlets and 220 volt outlets and receptacles which are common place in every home. See how wiring electrical outlets for the home are done.
Wiring a Light Switch – Diagram 1
Wiring Diagrams
Fully Explained Light Switch Wiring Diagrams. Detailed Electrical Wiring Diagrams and Pictures assist your Home Electrical Projects.
Electrical Wire for Electrical Repairs and Home Remodel Projects
Electrical Wire for the Home
Complete listing of electrical wire types and parts used for home projects with electrical code information serves as selection guidelines.
Electrical Grounding Methods and Requirements
Listing of electrical codes for grounding with examples of electrical grounding codes for home electrical wiring.
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Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
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Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.
The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!The Non-Contact Electrical TesterThis is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!The Plug-In Outlet TesterThis is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring. It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.
Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!The Wire Stripper and Wire CutterMy absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires. This handy tool has multiple uses: The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation. The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.. The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use. |
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I’m installing a new box for a ceiling fan. The fan (and integral light) are operated by a remote control, so it doesn’t need a switch, just a power source. Can I simply run black and white out of the Load side of an existing GFCI outlet up to the light box?
Hi Patti,
If the ceiling fan is being installed in a location that requires GFCI protection, then yes, connecting to the LOAD side of the GFCI outlet is OK. If GFCI protection is not required then you can connect to the LINE side. Be sure the wiring to the ceiling fan includes the ground wire (I’m sure you already know this), and make sure the box is rated for Ceiling Fans.
Enjoy Your Ceiling Fan!
Dave
I’m replacing a GFI outlet with a blank GFCI outlet and switch. I understand the Line and Load side. The existing box has the feed (black) and a (black) to overhead, works like adding the next outlet, and I don’t know how to. There is only one silver white terminal on the switch, do you need to bundle the white wires?
Hi Tony,
The Line and Load wiring configuration must be provided for both the black and white wires individually, however if the GFCI protection will be provided to additional devices after the GFCI outlet then the connections for those devices may be spliced together with the Load side wiring. GFCI protection for the switched device is provided using the same method of wiring connection on the Load side.
I hope this helps,
Dave
I was replacing a GFCI on an outside pole that has a light on top. The GFCI feeds 3 more GFCI’s and a switch for overhead lights on a dock. When I pulled the old GFI the electrician had pigtailed the line wires together with the load wires and connected them to the line terminals only, nothing to the load terminals. Why would he wire it this way?
Hi Wayne,
Multiple GFCI outlets may be wired on the same circuit in such a way as you have described to protect each individual GFCI outlet, therefore in the event of a ground fault occurrence at one outlet the other GFCI outlet locations will not be affected, as well as other devices that are wired on the same circuit. This method of wiring GFCI outlets is described in detail complete with photos in the GFCI Outlet area of this website.
I hope this helps,
Dave
I am trying to wire from a GFCI to 2 switches in the same box in the bathroom. One switch for lights and one for exhaust fan. How do I go about this. I brought the hot in to one switch and jumped it to the other two. Both switches work and even though the GFCI gets power (using a tester), nothing works when I plug anything in. Thanks
Tom
Hi Tom,
When wiring from a GFCI outlet out to other devices be sure the neutral and power both are being wired through the GFCI. If only the power is wired through and not the neutral then this may prevent the GFCI protection from working correctly. If the devices do not require GFCI protection then the splice should be made on the Line side, and not the Load side of the GFCI outlet.
Thanks for sharing your GFCI project with us,
Dave