chain of outlets protected by first GFCI

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Mh09

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i propose to run a string of outlets for a workshop in an unfinished basement, i know they need to be protected by GFCI
i know i have 2 choices, either use a different breaker in the fuse box or use one GFI at the first outlet and then continue the circuit out from there. i would prefer to use the "first outlet" method as it is the most economical and convenient. the chain has four 4"sq boxes with two duplex outlets in each box (8 duplex outlets total)
my only concern is having the 7 outlets down the line hanging on the terminal screws of the first GFI. will this connection be "robust" enough? perhaps i am being too analytical?

opinions are appreciated
thanks
btw - 12ga 20A line



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A standard 15 amp GFCI duplex receptacle is designed to carry 20 amps feed through. If you don't trust the device then you would need to use individual GFCI receptacles or a GFCI breaker.
 
Depends on what you intend the load the circuit with.

For example what if you want to table saw while running a vacuum for sawdust? It's also summer so you may have plugged in a portable air conditioner. In addition to any lighting, speakers, televisions, refrigerators, etc you may have plugged in down there.. it could cause tripping of the breaker. My opinion is run two circuits while you are at it. That way you aren't limited to in the future.
 
drktmplr12 said:
My opinion is run two circuits while you are at it. That way you aren't limited to in the future.
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Agreed. A workshop tends to have a lot high-draw electrical tools and appliances. Most tools will not be run at the same time, but often more than one active load will be present. I'd look carefully at how you intend to use the workshop and plan accordingly. personally, I prefer to install a subpanel for even small workshops.

Remember that you will need a GFCI protecting each branch circuit installed.
 
When I wired my shop, I used 2 circuits for the outlets, each w/ a GFCI outlet at the start of the string. I alternated the two circuits, w/ outlets every 4 feet, so I was always within reach of both circuits, and I always knew how to split the loads between the two circuits. Very happy w/ the results.
 
Barbqranch said:
When I wired my shop, I used 2 circuits for the outlets, each w/ a GFCI outlet at the start of the string. I alternated the two circuits, w/ outlets every 4 feet, so I was always within reach of both circuits, and I always knew how to split the loads between the two circuits. Very happy w/ the results.
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That can backfire just as easily.

I wired a church kitchen with 3 circuits on a 3-ph system. I alternated them 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 down the counter.

Sure 'nuff, they still tripped the breakers. "We knew we had a lot to plug in so we just plugged in to every third outlet........"

When that breaker tripped, they just shifted everything one receptacle to the right. Soon after, that breaker trips.

Guess what they did next?
 
480sparky said:
That can backfire just as easily.

I wired a church kitchen with 3 circuits on a 3-ph system. I alternated them 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 down the counter.

Sure 'nuff, they still tripped the breakers. "We knew we had a lot to plug in so we just plugged in to every third outlet........"

When that breaker tripped, they just shifted everything one receptacle to the right. Soon after, that breaker trips.

Guess what they did next?
Click to expand...


They called you
 
480sparky said:
That can backfire just as easily.

I wired a church kitchen with 3 circuits on a 3-ph system. I alternated them 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 down the counter.

Sure 'nuff, they still tripped the breakers. "We knew we had a lot to plug in so we just plugged in to every third outlet........"

When that breaker tripped, they just shifted everything one receptacle to the right. Soon after, that breaker trips.

Guess what they did next?
Click to expand...


That's just too funny!
 
480sparky said:
That can backfire just as easily.

I wired a church kitchen with 3 circuits on a 3-ph system. I alternated them 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 down the counter.

Sure 'nuff, they still tripped the breakers. "We knew we had a lot to plug in so we just plugged in to every third outlet........"

When that breaker tripped, they just shifted everything one receptacle to the right. Soon after, that breaker trips.

Guess what they did next?
Click to expand...

They called you and you went and bought and installed black, red and blue outlets and instructed them not to plug everything in the same color outlet :lol:
 
In a shop I will usually run a circuit per single GfI /duplex combo the duplex is wired to the load side of the gfi that it shares a box with. That way I know they are covered.

If it a low use deal then by all means put a bunch of duplexs behind a gfi.
Some people really mean it when they say they never use stuff.
Some people really meant you should have put in a separate service just for the garage with the amount of stuff they put in.......
 
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480sparky said:
That can backfire just as easily.

I wired a church kitchen with 3 circuits on a 3-ph system. I alternated them 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 down the counter.

Sure 'nuff, they still tripped the breakers. "We knew we had a lot to plug in so we just plugged in to every third outlet........"

When that breaker tripped, they just shifted everything one receptacle to the right. Soon after, that breaker trips.

Guess what they did next?
Click to expand...

Church kitchen, or other similar places you never put more then one receptacle on a circuit, especially in any "serving line" locations. Most of the time hot foods are in those 1500 watt + roasters and they almost guaranteed to trip if one has pretty much anything else on the circuit with it, because everything used in such a line is always at least 500 watts but that is only an occasional item, many items are at least 1000 watts.
 
480sparky said:
That can backfire just as easily.

I wired a church kitchen with 3 circuits on a 3-ph system. I alternated them 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 down the counter.

Sure 'nuff, they still tripped the breakers. "We knew we had a lot to plug in so we just plugged in to every third outlet........"

When that breaker tripped, they just shifted everything one receptacle to the right. Soon after, that breaker trips.

Guess what they did next?
Click to expand...

Ha ha, I love it. They had the right idea in a way but it sure backfired didn't it?
 
Mh09 said:
i propose to run a string of outlets for a workshop in an unfinished basement, i know they need to be protected by GFCI
i know i have 2 choices, either use a different breaker in the fuse box or use one GFI at the first outlet and then continue the circuit out from there. i would prefer to use the "first outlet" method as it is the most economical and convenient. the chain has four 4"sq boxes with two duplex outlets in each box (8 duplex outlets total)
my only concern is having the 7 outlets down the line hanging on the terminal screws of the first GFI. will this connection be "robust" enough? perhaps i am being too analytical?

opinions are appreciated
thanks
btw - 12ga 20A line



​
Click to expand...
Ok...it looks like everyone has helped you and given their opinion. I only have one...can you show me a picture of that "different breaker in the fuse box" as that seems quite interesting. Never seen a circuit breaker in a fuse box before so please share. Ok...just teasing ya....pay no mind to it.
 
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