Skip to content

Instantly share code, notes, and snippets.

@dsmith73
Created January 14, 2025 16:15
Show Gist options
  • Save dsmith73/6d7881c31ac53c586ecff40f14f605eb to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.
Save dsmith73/6d7881c31ac53c586ecff40f14f605eb to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.

Wiring GFCI plugs

Something that should be simple, and if I thought about it like a 3rd grader, I probably wouldn't have had any problems...

Recently, I was replacing a few old recepticals in my bathroom and I decided to install GFCI since they were within 3 feet of a water source.

Everything went exceedingly quick -

  • I identified the correct breaker and turned it off
  • I installed the GFCI plugs
  • I turned the breaker back on and tested the circuit

Low and behold - Nothing... WTF? I know how to install a plug. So, I began troubleshooting

  • The other bathroom was working
  • The voltmeter indicated power on hot, all the way through the circuit
  • The GFCI in the other bathroom wasn't tripped
  • I rechecked all of my wiring and it all looked good

I watched a couple videos on Youtube, and sure enough, one of them highlighted the dumb mistake that I made.

|===============|           ----------           ----------           ----------  
|               | --Line--> |        |    Line-> |        |    Line-> |        |  
|  Breaker Box  |           |  Plug  |      |    |  Plug  |      |    |  Plug  |  
|               |           |        | Load-|    |        | Load-|    |        |  
|===============|           ----------           ----------           ----------

Sure enough, on the first plug, I had Line connected to Load - GAH!

I switched it to Line, turned the breaker on, and voila - power.

Sign up for free to join this conversation on GitHub. Already have an account? Sign in to comment