what did i do wrong?

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mikejurasw

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Hi everyone....seeking input to improve my DIY game. I was doing a bathroom wallpaper-to-paint re-do, and the client asked if I would also replace all electrical switches and outlets. One by one, I mimicked the old wiring on new devices (1 gfci, 1 standard grounded outlet, one single switch, and a 4-pack of single pole switches all ganged together. Problem is, when the breaker was thrown only the single light worked. The gfci had a green light lit, but no juice, and everything else was dead.
I think the problem is in the 4-gang of switches, which were wired: 3 of the four: black in- black out, one red in-black out, and in the back of the box all the neutrals, grounds, and black-outs were pig-tailed.
I'm baffled. I'm not an electrician (obviously), but I would like to understand this better for future reference.
I hope the explanation was clear.
Thanks!
MM
 
!st, purchase a VOM, (Volt, Ohm Meter) which will tell you what have, where and when you have it.

Generally, the green light on the GFI indicates the presence of power, which on the newer intonations is required, and then requires a manual trip and reset, to activate.
 
Thanks, Snoobyb. Just for my learning curve, when I see a switch with the black wires in both terminals, does it matter which wire goes on which screw, or is juice juice?
 
It will determine the position of the switch toggle for on and off.
 
Did you try resetting the GFCI. Some come tripped out of the box.
 
I think that's what it is. I did try, but it seemed like I was pushing harder that would be reasonable. Will give it another shot. Thanks, JoeD!
 
Hi, makes no difference which black wire goes where on a single pole switch, how many wires were on the GFCI receptacle, make sure you have the line on the line side of the receptacle.
Geo
 
Thanks, Geo. Just so i'm clear, "line" is the feed in from the panel, and "load" is the wires out to devices, etc., right? or do I have that backwards.
MM
 
Modern gfci receptacles have a much stiffer reset button than when they first came out.

And also, when the gfci chip inside dies, the outlet stays dead. It won’t reset.

The older ones would keep working, with no gfci protection.
 
Thanks, Jeff Handy! BTW, do they all come tripped in the box and in need of reset, or is it a toss-up?
MM
 
Can’t recall, but I know they won’t reset until power is on to the outlet.
They will not reset with the breaker tripped or off.
The old ones would.
 
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