outdoor gfci question

16 years ago

Hello, I have to replace 3 standard outdoor outlets that are on one circuit with gfci outlets. Normally I would just put a gfci as the first outlet on the circuit and the two downstream outlets would be protected. Since these are outdoors can I still do this or do all outdoor outlets have to be gfci's? If so is it ok to have 3 gfci's on the same circuit? Thanks.

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Comments (3)

brickeyee
16 years ago
You can use a single GFCI receptacle to protect regular duplex receptacles down stream by wiring them to the "LOAD" terminals on the GFCI.

You could also put a separate GFCI receptacle in every location and wire them all with the "LINE" terminals.

Having more than one GFCI makes resetting easier.

Be aware the GFCIs outdoors do not have a very long life.
The normal moisture exposure degrades them.
johnny6
Original Author
16 years ago
thanks brickeyee , I did wire the two downstream receptacles to the load side of the gfci. I just wasn't sure that since they are outdoors I thought they all had to be gfci's regardless.
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brickeyee
16 years ago
"...since they are outdoors I thought they all had to be gfci's regardless."

They need to be GFCI protected, but the GFCI receptacle protects anything wired on the LOAD side terminals.

You are fine, if a little inconvenienced when the GFCI trips and you have to go find it and reset.