Replacing regular with GFCI. - Solved Thanks All

[Torvy]

I have two electric outlets near our Master Bathroom sinks. No power from either one, so I was going to replace them. Yes, I checked the breakers.

I've done this before with regular outlets. I think those by the sinks should be upgraded to GFCI.

Is this something I should be able to do without too much trouble or do I need an electrician? Any advice on how-to is welcome.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jyoutz]

I have two electric outlets near our Master Bathroom sinks. No power from either one, so I was going to replace them. Yes, I checked the breakers.

I've done this before with regular outlets. I think those by the sinks should be upgraded to GFCI.

Is this something I should be able to do without too much trouble or do I need an electrician? Any advice on how-to is welcome.

Thanks in advance.

The outlets are a direct swap over, no electrician needed. But the GFI unit will control other outlets down wire on the same circuit. So if the receptacle is tripped, the others will shut off too. There should be no need for multiple GFI receptacles on the same circuit.

 

[MossRoad]

If you've switched out a regular outlet before safely, then yep.

 

[MossRoad]

The outlets are a direct swap over, no electrician needed. But the GFI unit will control other outlets down wire on the same circuit. So if the receptacle is tripped, the others will shut off too. There should be no need for multiple GFI receptacles on the same circuit.

It'll only control other outlets down the line if you connect them on the load side terminals of the GFCI.

If you just use pigtails and connect everything to the line side, it won't control anything but that one outlet.

 

[jyoutz]

It'll only control other outlets down the line if you connect them on the load side terminals of the GFCI.

If you just use pigtails and connect everything to the line side, it won't control anything but that one outlet.

You are correct. Thanks for adding this information that I didn’t explain.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Another thing to think / find out is if they are already controlled by a GFCI somewhere else..... like another bathroom or the kitchen. If the house is older, then probably not likely.
You can 'feed' up to 6 other outlets from one GFCI (it might be 4 allowed). Most newer houses are wired this way. Our house had a GFCI in the master bath that protected 2 outdoor outlets and 2 outlets in the laundry room. The other GFCI in the 2nd hall bath protected the 3rd bathroom and 2 outdoor outlets in the front of the house.

You said you had "no power" at the outlets.... have you checked to see if another GFCI somewhere else is tripped? Might be a simple fix!

 

[MossRoad]

Another thing to think / find out is if they are already controlled by a GFCI somewhere else..... like another bathroom or the kitchen. If the house is older, then probably not likely.
You can 'feed' up to 6 other outlets from one GFCI (it might be 4 allowed). Most newer houses are wired this way. Our house had a GFCI in the master bath that protected 2 outdoor outlets and 2 outlets in the laundry room. The other GFCI in the 2nd hall bath protected the 3rd bathroom and 2 outdoor outlets in the front of the house.

You said you had "no power" at the outlets.... have you checked to see if another GFCI somewhere else is tripped? Might be a simple fix!

This is an excellent post.

If the OP has two outlets near sinks, and both have no power, there is a very good chance that there is a GFCI outlet or breaker upstream already protecting them that might be tripped.

OP, have you checked for that scenario yet?

 

[MossRoad]

My mother in-law has this happen in her garage quite often. All of the garage outlets go dead and they can't figure out why. I show them the GFCI outlet that they stack firewood against and trip the test button, suggest they not to pile stuff in front of that outlet, show them how to reset it, they nod and say thanks and it happens again next year.

 

[4570Man]

A GFCI is no more difficult than wiring a regular outlet. But you have the option to wire it to only protect itself or protect everything downstream. Unless your other downstream outlets need protection I recommend not wiring them that way to prevent nuisance tripping. Despite what electric code might say I recommend not putting refrigerators on arc faults or ground faults for the same reason.

 

[Torvy]

Thanks guys. I did think it odd that they both went out. Those house is about 25, so not brand new, but not 'old' either. During day light, I will check...it may be the exterior plug...I hope it is not the garage, because the freezer is on that circuit.

 

[SF82]

Yes you "should" replace with gfci to be up to code but only 1 on the circuit is required. If you have 2 on same circuit can lead to constant tripping. BTW don't expect the new gfci outlets to last 25 years, lucky to get more than 5

 

[jyoutz]

Yes you "should" replace with gfci to be up to code but only 1 on the circuit is required. If you have 2 on same circuit can lead to constant tripping. BTW don't expect the new gfci outlets to last 25 years, lucky to get more than 5

Consider a whole house surge protector at the meter (installed by utility company) to project your internal outlets, and appliances from power surges.

 

[ponytug]

My mother in-law has this happen in her garage quite often. All of the garage outlets go dead and they can't figure out why. I show them the GFCI outlet that they stack firewood against and trip the test button, suggest they not to pile stuff in front of that outlet, show them how to reset it, they nod and say thanks and it happens again next year.

Maybe it is time for a nice mother-in-law gift of a robust outdoor outlet cover for the firewood outlet?

Thanks guys. I did think it odd that they both went out. Those house is about 25, so not brand new, but not 'old' either. During day light, I will check...it may be the exterior plug...I hope it is not the garage, because the freezer is on that circuit.

Gosh, me, too. Freezers and refrigerators ought to be on a dedicated circuit for these sorts of issues.

From your description, I would be strongly suspecting that there is another GFCI somewhere that is tripped. One outlet might, might, be bad but two outlets being bad at the same time is so improbable that I would be looking for other causes, like an unknown GFCI outlet, or rodent damage, or that the breaker is bad.

All the best,

Peter

 

[drssg]

You said you had "no power" at the outlets.... have you checked to see if another GFCI somewhere else is tripped? Might be a simple fix!

That's a good point. In our house, the upstairs bathroom outlets are on the same circuit as the downstairs half bathroom. If the upstairs outlets lose power, I've learned to check the GFCI in the downstairs bathroom.

 

[dodge man]

The only problem I’ve had is there is a little less room in the box for a GFI. I’m scared to death of wiring and electricity but I will wire things like a GFI.

 

[JJT]

The only problem I’ve had is there is a little less room in the box for a GFI. I’m scared to death of wiring and electricity but I will wire things like a GFI.

If you are scared to death of wiring, please hire this out. Electricity should be/must be respected.

 

[ultrarunner]

At the hospital all medical GFCI with no downstream use.

I follow the no downstream at the rentals I manage because it simplifies things.

Having an upstairs bathroom control a garage or outdoor is pennywise and pound foolish in my opinion as one who tracks down problems.

The green indicator lamp built into many GFCI is a bonus.

GFCI don't last forever especially exposed to elements... found many that will not trip when tested.

My current home has them but prior never lived in a home with them and way back no grounds either.

 

[4570Man]

Maybe it is time for a nice mother-in-law gift of a robust outdoor outlet cover for the firewood outlet?

Gosh, me, too. Freezers and refrigerators ought to be on a dedicated circuit for these sorts of issues.

From your description, I would be strongly suspecting that there is another GFCI somewhere that is tripped. One outlet might, might, be bad but two outlets being bad at the same time is so improbable that I would be looking for other causes, like an unknown GFCI outlet, or rodent damage, or that the breaker is bad.

All the best,

Peter

Local electric code requires the refrigerator to be on a dedicated circuit but when people add a second or 3rd refrigerator or freezer there’s really no enforcement on that. The freezer in my garage isn’t on a dedicated circuit but I did move the GF to the second outlet so it doesn’t protect the one the refrigerator is plugged it to.

 

[4570Man]

At the hospital all medical GFCI with no downstream use.

I follow the no downstream at the rentals I manage because it simplifies things.

Having an upstairs bathroom control a garage or outdoor is pennywise and pound foolish in my opinion as one who tracks down problems.

The green indicator lamp built into many GFCI is a bonus.

GFCI don't last forever especially exposed to elements... found many that will not trip when tested.

My current home has them but prior never lived in a home with them and way back no grounds either.

They make ground fault breakers. They cost 2.5 times more than the GF outlet but if the outlet keeps getting ruined it might be worth it.

 

[Torvy]

That's a good point. In our house, the upstairs bathroom outlets are on the same circuit as the downstairs half bathroom. If the upstairs outlets lose power, I've learned to check the GFCI in the downstairs bathroom.

We have a winner! This is exactly what it was. The upstairs 1/2 bath that is rarely used is the one where they put the GFCI on the circuit. All fixed. My wife thanks you.

+1 on @jyoutz whole house surge protector is relatively cheap and effective.