GuitarPlaya4JC

Hi all,

I've been playing with installing a GFCI outlet in my kitchen. I popped off the old outlet and threw the hot wires into the line holes. That works and the outlet receives power as expected. The problem I'm having, is that there are 2 remaining sets of wires and I can't get them in the right combination to get power to the next outlet. I tried putting a black wire from each into the 2 load holes on the gold screw side and the white/yellow wires into the 2 load holes on the silver screw side, but the other outlet still doesn't work. Am I missing something? Thanks for any advice!

JoeD

Sounds like you are doing it correct. How were they connected previously?

GuitarPlaya4JC

It was just on a normal outlet before, not a GFCI. I just had a thought..the ground wires are all connected to the screw within the housing. Is there something that prevents the load from working if it doesn't have a ground wire on the green screw? Sounds unlikely, but that's all I can figure at this point..?

GuitarPlaya4JC

Here's what I've got. The hot wires in the line and the others out right now. Note the ground wires in the housing.

GuitarPlaya4JC

Any ideas!?

Blue Jay

My first impression with the yellow tape is that it is NOT neutral (have you checked it with a meter to make sure it is neutral), but then with the black tape gobbed onto two of the blacks mabey PO did not know how to strip jacket off romex. You could use an extinsion cord from the next outlet and using a meter to make sure of the wires to it.

kok328

Get yourself a tester and determine which set of 3 is the hot wires(note, there may be more than 1 set of hots in this box, test all 3 wires for hot before you do anything). The hot will hook up to the terminals labeled LINE. Do not use the stab in holes, use the terminal screws on the side. The 2 other sets will be attached to LOAD. Again, do not use the stab in holes, use the terminal screws on the side. It will be very tempting to attach one set to the LOAD holes and the other set to the LOAD screws but, you really don't want to do that. You will want to attach a pigtail, combining 3 wires under 1 wire nut and attache the pigtail to the LOAD screws.
If by chance the old outlet had the bridge tab removed then you might of had an outlet where one portion was constant power and the other switched power. If this is the case, you'll need to attach your wires completely differently.

GuitarPlaya4JC

Thanks for your advice guys. I know I can run out and grab a meter, but since it's late I'd have to wait til tomorrow...Is there any trick I can find the hot wires here without a meter? Maybe some old fashioned way?

kok328

If you have a light bulb socket with leads on them, you can turn off the power, screw in a light bulb and then wire nut the leads to the wires and then turn the power on. Repeat this procedure for each set of wires. Optionaly, you can just purchase a non-contact voltage sensor/indicator for a lot less than a meter.

JoeD

If it works with one set of wires connected to the line then the receptacle could be defective.
When you connect the LOAD wires does the GFCI itself still work?