Outlet Wiring for Garage Freezers and Refrigerators

GFI Outlet Problems with Garage Freezers and Refrigerator and How to Fix Them: How to Wire a Garage Freezer or Refrigerator Outlet By: Dave Rongey

GFI Outlet Problems with Garage Freezers and Refrigerator and How to Fix Them
Electrical Question: I have a garage outlet I want to use for a freezer.

• The outlet is a middle outlet protected by GFI.
• How can I wire this so that this outlet is not GFI protected, yet the downstream outlets will still be protected?

Thanks

This electrical wiring question came from: Jim, a Homeowner from Woodland Park, Colorado.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Jim.

Guide to Wiring Garage Outlets for Freezers and Refrigerators

Preparation
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate.
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 outlets that will be replaced.
Precaution: Identify the outlet circuit, turn it OFF and  Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.
Notice: Installing additional outlet wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.

Hi Jim, I understand the problem because typically refrigerators and freezers can trip GFI outlets.

• According to the Electrical Code
  • Refrigerators and freezers that are permanently located in the garage and are not movable are not required to be protected by GFI.
  • The outlet may be a single outlet or the outlet may not be readily accessible.

 How to Wire a Garage Freezer or Refrigerator Outlet

• The upstream GFI outlet should be wired so that the circuit wiring leading to the following outlets will not be protected by this first GFI.
• The middle outlet for the freezer can then be installed as a regular single outlet.
• The next outlet after the freezer outlet will need to be replaced with a new GFI outlet.
• If additional outlets are fed from this outlet, then the wiring leading to the following outlets will need to be wired trough the GFI outlet using the LINE and LOAD designations.

More about How to Wire  GFCI Outlets

GFCI Outlet Wiring

Electrical Outlets

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Wiring Electrical Outlet 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.

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Wiring Diagrams for  GFI Outlets

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.

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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.

How to Install Garage Electrical Wiring

Garage Electrical Wiring

Fully Explained Photos and Wiring Diagrams for Garage Electrical Wiring with Code Requirements for most new or remodel projects.

For more information about Outlet Wiring
How to Install Electrical Outlets

Wiring Electrical Outlets

Fully Explained Photos and Wiring Diagrams for Wiring Electrical Outlets with Code Requirements for most new or remodel projects.

The following may also be helpful for you:

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring: » You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! « Here's How to Do It: Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book Great for any Home Wiring Project. Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring Perfect for Homeowners, Students, Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians Includes: Wiring GFCI Outlets Wiring Home Electric Circuits 120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits Wiring Light Switches Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring ....and much more. Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring with my Online Video Course: Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example

Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires! The Non-Contact Electrical Tester This 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 Tester This 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 Cutter My 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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