GFCI Receptacles

[sparkync]

I started to put this in the "Proposal" thread, but don't guess I have all the information ready for that, but I sure wish that there was a requirement for manufacturers of GFCI outlets to have a standard as far as reset "operational guidelines". Some brands have "red" resets, which I wished was a standard. I have found in some homes, especially of the elderly, that it is hard for them to distinguish which is the "test" button, and which is the "reset" button when both buttons are all the same color as the outlet itself. I had one new one out of the box, that did have the "green light" on when power was on it, and a "red" light on when it was "tripped" and also a "red" reset button (Leviton brand). This was good and I do like it that way, but for some reason the "red" light stopped coming on when it was tripped and I thought the circuit had no power, when all it really needed was to be "reset". Also some have the "line" on bottom near the "grounding terminal" and others have the "line" on the top ( away from the grounding terminal). I had a customer who changed out a bad one with a new one, and thought he was doing good by just putting the wires on the same terminals as the old one, but didn't know enough to check the back to see which was the "line". It was good for me, since I got a "service call" from it, but bad for him.
This may not be in the "scope" of the NEC council, but I think it would make things a little more less confusing in our trade. I had one customer that had (2) different kinds of GFCI outlets side by side each other in her basement for outside lights and outlets that I had to write on the plywood they were mounted on, the operation of the outlets, so she would know when each one was "tripped" and which one was not. Sort of confusing. Each was put in at different times, so they were different brands. Just a concern. Probably nothing can be done about it, but just wanted to voice my opinion and your thoughts on the matter. Thanks for listening.

 

[retirede]

Correct, not in the purview of NEC. Maybe NEMA?

 

[kwired]

Most of what you brought up I think would be listing requirement issues, if they were to be addressed, and don't belong in NEC

 

[kwired]

Correct, not in the purview of NEC. Maybe NEMA?

seems we agree

 

[Little Bill]

It's not hard to push each button to see what they do. If you hear it click and the other button pops out, you know the one you pushed is the test button. If it happens to be tripped already, push each button until you see/hear it reset. Remember this button was the reset.
If neither button doesn't do anything, you either have no power or the GFCI is bad, or possibly wired wrong.

For the record, I have never seen a GFCI with the line anywhere but at the bottom where the ground screw is.

 

[sparkync]

I just did a job yesterday with the "line" on top away from ground. It was in a "Leviton" box. I thought it strange to that the line was that way, but it was. He had another new one he had bought at a local hardware store that was the same brand and same thing. I did have a thought that it was an "after market" kind, but it was in a "Leviton" box.

 

[sparkync]

Just sent "Leviton" an email to see if they actually make a GFCI with the line on top away from the ground, or if this was a "black market" in a Leviton box. Be interesting to see their response.

 

[retirede]

I just did a job yesterday with the "line" on top away from ground. It was in a "Leviton" box. I thought it strange to that the line was that way, but it was. He had another new one he had bought at a local hardware store that was the same brand and same thing. I did have a thought that it was an "after market" kind, but it was in a "Leviton" box.

Looks legit:
https://www.leviton.com/en/docs/GFNT1_Instruction_Sheet_English.pdf

 

[James L]

Just sent "Leviton" an email to see if they actually make a GFCI with the line on top away from the ground, or if this was a "black market" in a Leviton box. Be interesting to see their response.

Leviton changed about 5 years ago iirc

They used to have the line side on the bottom but now they have the line side on top

 

[GeorgeB]

I just did a job yesterday with the "line" on top away from ground. It was in a "Leviton" box. I thought it strange to that the line was that way, but it was. He had another new one he had bought at a local hardware store that was the same brand and same thing. I did have a thought that it was an "after market" kind, but it was in a "Leviton" box.

What's top? This will NOT turn into a ground up/down thread. Image is from the above link to the Leviton instructions.

 

[LarryFine]

What's top? This will NOT turn into a ground up/down thread. Image is from the above link to the Leviton instructions.

Just as with 3-way switches and other devices, I never, ever make connections based on terminal position.

 

[GeorgeB]

Just as with 3-way switches and other devices, I never, ever make connections based on terminal position.

he did say LINE and LOAD were marked. I'm just commenting on the word "top". I have had them mounted horizontally too.

 

[James L]

What's top?

If you look at the back, the writing is oriented only one way. That kind of indicates to me which is top and which is bottom. Line on the top

 

[kwired]

he did say LINE and LOAD were marked. I'm just commenting on the word "top". I have had them mounted horizontally too.

He also said line is on same end (though maybe in little more confusing words) as the ground termination screw.

But yes newer levition are not that way

 

[SSDriver]

I noticed a lot of manufactures switched line to the top on GFIs. I just assumed it was to be consistent with other devices like fused disconnects.

 

[Rick 0920]

As long as they keep things a little confusing, we can continue to charge $150 to push a button from time to time.