Wiring a GFCI Outlet with No Ground Wire Video
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How to wire GFCI outlet | How is a GFCI outlet wired for a 2-wire circuit that does not have a ground wire? Wiring a GFCI Outlet on a 2-Wire Circuit. © By: Dave Rongey |
GFCI Outlet Wiring Problem
Electrical Project: How is a GFCI outlet wired for a 2-wire circuit that does not have a ground wire?
- I am trying to install a GFCI outlet to a 2-wire circuit that does not have a ground wire.
- When I use the white wire to connect the ground wire back to the box it is not working.
- I read an article about how to change a 2-wire receptacle with a ground for a GFCI, and it said it needed the green wire to connect the ground wire from the GFCI outlet back to the box.
- Will it make any difference if I use the white wire instead of the green wire?
This electrical wiring question came from Lindsey, a General Contractor in Queens, New York.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Lindsey.
Wiring a GFCI Outlet on a 2-Wire Circuit
- Application: GFCI Outlet, How to wire gfci outlet
- Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced – Best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor, or Certified Electrician.
- Electrical Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools, Voltage Tester, and appropriate Safety Gear.
- Estimated Time: Depends on the personal level experience, ability to work with tools, install electrical circuit wiring, and the available access to the project area.
- Electrical Safety: Identify the electrical power source to the GFCI Outlet, turn it OFF and Tag with a Note before working with the electrical wiring.
- Electrical Wiring Parts and Materials: Electrical parts and materials for the GFCI Outlet should be approved for the specific project and compliant with local and national electrical codes.
- Electrical Codes and Inspections: Installing or changing home electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes as adopted in Queens, New York. A permit and inspections may also be required.
Kitchen 2-Wire Circuit and GFCI Outlet
This electrical wiring project is about an Electrical Problem with a GFCI Outlet in the Kitchen of a Apartment.
Wiring a GFCI Outlet on an Un-Grounded Circuit
- When a 2-wire circuit does not have a ground wire and a GFCI outlet is installed nothing should be connected to the ground terminal. However, if the GFCI outlet is installed in a metal outlet box then a wire may be installed from the ground terminal of the GFCI outlet and bonded to the metal outlet box.
- The GFCI will still sense when there is a ground fault.
- You can test this with a GFCI plug-in tester and you will see that it works just fine.
More about Wiring a GFCI Outlet
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