Swapping non GFCI plugs for GFCI plugs

[swimmer_spe]

I am not an electrician, but I understand enough of how to do things, but...

After breaking the breaker, can you simply swap out plugs that are not GFCI for ones that are GFCI?

 

[beachguy005]

Once you trip the breaker to break the circuit, you can switch them out. It doesn't make much sense to do it just to do it, so I'm hoping you have a particular reason to change them. Also note that GFCIs are feed thru rated, which means that 1 GFCI receptacle will protect other regular receptacles that are on the same circuit and down stream. For example, if your kitchen receptacles are all on the same circuit, then one GFCI receptacle, installed in the correct location on that circuit, will protect all those other regular receptacles.

 

[joecaption]

Only place there really needed is bathroom, kitchen over the counters, garage, outside outlets in some areas in the basement.

 

[bud16415]

Additional information:

If your wiring is old and dated and was done in the days when a bare copper grounding wire was not used a GFIC can be used to correct that problem as the bare copper ground wire is not required to make the GFIC work. It will bring an old box into compliance. The outlet will come with stickers and if used as such it has to be marked to show it has no safety ground. You will also find stickers that are for any outlet down stream that is protected and they should be marked also.

There are locations that by code have to be GFIC that in no way means you cant use them in other locations you feel you want added protection.

 

[Snoonyb]

Given the generalization, perhaps you can avail yourself of a more accurate responses by voicing your motivation, the type of recep. you're interested in changing, what their enclosures are made of and the conductors within those enclosures.

 

[swimmer_spe]

My kitchen has no GFCI plugs. I do not see anywhere where there is any protection besides the normal breakers in the panel. They are all 3 prong plugs.

My thinking is GFCI is safer than normal plugs in the kitchen. So, can I swap them out.

 

[Snoonyb]

Depending upon the age of the dwelling you may have aluminum or copper conductors, with or without a ground, and each are treated somewhat differently, both as a kitchen circuit or as a general plug circuit.

If you'd be so kind as to turn the breaker off and open a box and discuss the contents, it would be a big help.

As a "generalization" GFI offer protection.

 

[swimmer_spe]

Depending upon the age of the dwelling you may have aluminum or copper conductors, with or without a ground, and each are treated somewhat differently, both as a kitchen circuit or as a general plug circuit.

If you'd be so kind as to turn the breaker off and open a box and discuss the contents, it would be a big help.

As a "generalization" GFI offer protection.

http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums...8-9B21-48CA-97B2-62D641AEC920_zpsvch4tot2.jpg
http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums...B-0604-4BD3-922F-66C40EDF385F_zpsnfx0si5l.jpg
http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums...5-B6CF-48E2-A5BE-3B5A3FD0E708_zpsilnzmu7q.jpg

This is the same plug in all 3 pictures. 3 wires, black, white, bare copper.

 

[nealtw]

With just one cable, that would be the end of the line, you would just wire to the line side. But you may find an outlet on the same circuit where you could protect both or all with one gfci.

 

[swimmer_spe]

With just one cable, that would be the end of the line, you would just wire to the line side. But you may find an outlet on the same circuit where you could protect both or all with one gfci.

So, I do not need one at every outlet? As long as one of them has it, the whole run is protected? Why are GFCI used then? Doesn't a breaker do the same then, but at the other end of the run?

 

[Snoonyb]

If there are no additional conductors in the box then this is the end of the circuit run.

A GFI in these particular locations protect only those recep., and to protect otheres in the chain you'll need to locate those up the chain, in particular, boxes with more than single conductors.

A GFI breaker protects the whole circuit, so before you install that, be sure and define the run because appliances with initial large current draw will trip the breaker.

 

[KULTULZ]

So, I do not need one at every outlet?

No.

As long as one of them has it, the whole run is protected?

The circuit is protected from where the GFCI receptacle is installed downstream if wired properly.

Why are GFCI used then? Doesn't a breaker do the same then, but at the other end of the run?

A GFCI breaker will protect the whole circuit.

A GFCI device trips and stops current flow (at and beyond installation point) if it senses an electric flow imbalance.

A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) or Residual Current Device (RCD) is a device that shuts off an electric power circuit when it detects that current is flowing along an unintended path, such as through water or a person.
GFCI - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/GFCI

 

[bud16415]

A GFCI and a circuit breaker are two different things and do two different jobs. The breaker protects the wiring and the house from too much current going thru the wire causing heat and fire. If you grab a hold of the black and white wire the current will go thru your body and kill you and as long as your resistance is such that less than 15 amps is flowing thru you the breaker doesn’t care. The GFCI is to protect you and if even the slightest amount of current finds its way out of the wire and thru you like touching a wire that has a break in the insulation or dropping the hair drier in the bathtub the GFIC will stop the power in an instant.

 

[Snoonyb]

However, they both respond the same, and one is not safer than the other.

 

[nealtw]

However, they both respond the same, and one is not safer than the other.

That might imply they do the same job, but of coarse they do not.
http://ecmweb.com/content/how-gfcis-work

 

[swimmer_spe]

So, here is what I gathered.

GFCI is a different type of protection than a normal circuit breaker.

If I can find the outlet that is first in line, I can wire one in there and then the whole run beyond is protected.


Now, one last question... White or Black, which goes where?

 

[nealtw]

You have to figure witch set of wire has the power coming into the box and that set of wires go to the line side. Black to gold screw, white to silver screw.
You will find line and load marked on the outlet

 

[nealtw]

So, here is what I gathered.

GFCI is a different type of protection than a normal circuit breaker.

If I can find the outlet that is first in line, I can wire one in there and then the whole run beyond is protected.


Now, one last question... White or Black, which goes where?

To find the first outlet in the circuit.
Turn off the circuit and find all the outlets that have no power.
Try the one furthest away from the one you had open, disconnect one black wire and protect the end from touching anything.
Turn the breaker on. If that outlet now has power the line side is still hooked up and if all the other outlets are dead you have the first outlet.
If that outlet has no power switch the black wires and check again.

 

[bud16415]

However, they both respond the same, and one is not safer than the other.

I don’t understand your post. Yes they both interrupt the supply of power, but they do it under two entirely different sets of circumstances. One is required for every bit of electrical service and the other has limitations to where it is required based around the likelihood of coming in contact with a ground fault. There is all kinds of safety, and circuit overload and ground fault are completely different.

Your statement is correct but I don’t see where it is helpful to a person trying to learn and decide on if they want to add GFCI to a circuit that is already protected for current overload by circuit breakers. Additional facts should build on a person’s understanding of a subject. When I read your post as if I understood very little on the subject I could misconstrue the information as if I have one I don’t need the other.

 

[Snoonyb]

That might imply they do the same job, but of coarse they do not.
http://ecmweb.com/content/how-gfcis-work

Actually they do, as the article points out, and protect from elec. shock.

The difference is in the results from a failure, and when the breaker fails the wiring is also no longer protected.