How to Wire Nested GFCI Receptacles
- 1). Find the circuit that you will be working on in the electrical panel. Switch the correct breaker to the "Off" position. Remove the corresponding fuse from its seat if you have a fuse type breaker panel.
- 2). Use a circuit tester to verify that no power is going through the receptacle that you will be working on.
- 3). Remove the screws on the receptacle plate cover, using a screwdriver. Lift the cover off the wire box and discard.
- 4). Note carefully what's in the wire box. If you have 1 black and 1 white wire in the wire box, plus a green ground wire, the receptacle is the last one in a series of receptacles. If the wire box has 2 black and 2 white wires (plus 2 green ground wires), then the receptacle is in the middle of a series of receptacles. In the latter scheme, you will have to determine which wires are coming from the breaker panel. Group the wires with one color each into two sets, then turn the electricity back on at the breaker panel. Check which set of wires is hot with your circuit tester. Turn the breaker to "Off" again, or remove the related fuse. The set that was not hot is the one that you will work on.
- 5). Loosen the screws holding the old receptacles. Disconnect the wires by twisting them counterclockwise from the receptacle. Discard the receptacle or keep for later use.
- 6). Attach the black and white wires to the new GFCI receptacle's terminal that is marked "LINE." Wrap each wire clockwise around the terminal screw to secure it.
- 7). Attach a second wire set, if you have and wish, to other terminals on the GFCI receptacle plate that are not marked "LINE." These wires continue to other receptacles in your house. Be sure the second wire set is not hot.
- 8). Take the white ground wire in the wire box and attach it to the grounding terminal on the GFCI receptacle plate. Add a second ground wire to the same grounding terminal if you have another set of wires going elsewhere in the house through here.
- 9). Cover all of the screw heads and the exposed wires on the GFCI receptacle plate with electrical tape to prevent electrocution.
- 10
Bend and tuck the wires into the wire box. Position the GFCI receptacle plate on the wall. - 11
Align the GFCI receptacle so it is perpendicular to the floor. Tighten the two screws holding the receptacle in place. - 12
Place the GFCI plate cover over the receptacle plate. Insert the two screws into the screw holes and tighten them on the wall. - 13
Bring the breaker back on or replace the fuse. Press the "Test" button on the GFCI receptacle. A "click" sound means the installation was successful, as the breaker inside the receptacle trips. - 14
Test receptacles further down the line with a circuit tester to be certain that electricity is running through the series. This is necessary if you attached multiple wire sets on the GFCI receptacle plate in the middle of the service line. - 15
Push the "Reset" button to activate the GFCI receptacle.
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