> When you install your GCFI outlets, remember that they will generally protect ALL the outlets “downstream” from them on a circuit.
I’ll probably install GCFI outlets at the places where I have concern. I rather like the idea of being able to press the Test button at the outlets that are most dangerous, and seeing that everything is working right.
After putting GCFIs at the couple of places I’m concerned about, though, I may take your suggestion and put them at places that will protect the whole house — just in case someone floods the living room, dining room, or bedroom, and then touches a live line (though that person’s luck has probably run out, anyway, and will probably be hit by a bus soon).
I don’t imagine having GCFIs in series would cause a problem. If it’s just a matter of an extra $15 or $30 — I have a small house — I might as well do so.
Your old Outlet might have more than two wires. It might have power coming in and power heading out to the next outlet or light in the circuit. Four screws on the outlet might be being used. You either have to connect all of them to the “Line” side of the GFI(Black to Black and White to White) or else you will use the “Load” side of the outlet to protect everything down stream as well. Connect the black wires to the smaller prong side of the outlet. And it will not work if you do not connect the incoming power to the line side to the GFI.(if you switch the line and load wire sets).
I believe that you can by code actually replace all downstream GFI protected outlets with regular 3 prong outlets. You just have to put that sticker on them.
Pretty cool.