Wiring for an Outdoor Light and Outlet
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How Can I Wire an Outdoor GFCI Circuit for Outlets and Lighting: Install an outlet on a lamp post near the driveway: GFCI Wiring Connections for Outside Outlet and Lighting © By: Dave Rongey |
Outdoor Lighting and GFCI Wiring
Electrical Project #1: I need help with an outdoor circuit for an outlet and light fixture.
- Years ago, I wanted to install an outlet on a lamp post near the driveway.
- Rather than trying to find a GFCI outlet to put in the pole, one was installed in the house and the wiring run off of load side of the outlet in the house to the lamp post outlet.
- This worked fine for years.
Now I’m installing an outlet on the front porch. I ran the wiring off of the same load side of the GFCI in the house that worked for the lamp post outlet but any time anything is even plugged into the porch outlet, it trips the GFCI outlet in the house. - What am I missing?
Originally had used the same common wire for the lamp post outlet and the light in the post and it wouldn’t work. I ran a separate common and that worked fine. - The one for the porch outlet is separate cabling all together run off of the same load side of the GFCI in the house.
Background: Tom, a Homeowner in Wisconsin.
Electrical Project #2:
- I ran an outside light(used a pre made metal clad service cable from switch to light) with an added dusk to dawn sensor and attached the line to an existing receptacle inside of the house.
- The receptacle was the only item on the original line. Everything worked fine until I decided to change to a GFCI receptacle, the GFCI will not set.
- I have tried two separate GFCI’s, same result. #1 – Do I need a GFCI at all. #2 The green grounds appear to be the problem, how do they relate to the bare ground wire?
This electrical wiring question came from Virginia.
Dave’s Reply:
Thank you for your electrical projects.
How to Wire an Outdoor GFCI Circuit for Outlets and Lighting
- Application: Install Outdoor Light Fixture.
- Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced. This electrical project is best Installed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor or Certified Electrician.
- Tools Required: Basic Electricians Tool Pouch of Electrical Tools, and Voltage Tester, Fiberglass Ladder.
- Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience working with electrical wiring, the number of lights that will be replaced or installed and access to the light fixtures.
- Precaution: Identify the lighting circuit or power source, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the electrical wiring and light fixture connections.
- Notice: Installing additional electrical wiring for outdoor lighting should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.
GFCI Wiring Connections for Outside Outlet and Lighting
Tom, check your electrical wiring connections as follows:
- Make sure of your LINE and LOAD connections at the GFCI Outlet.
- Check the wiring of the other devices that are using the circuit.
- Is the original electrical cable going to the post light protected, or is it leaking voltage.
More about GFCI and Outdoor Electrical Wiring
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Complete listing of electrical wire types and parts used for home projects with electrical code information serves as selection guidelines.
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