gfci / how many load receptacles?

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ronson

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how many downstream receptacles will load side of gfci protect? either someone told me or i saw in nec that it is 10. is that true?
 
Re: gfci / how many load receptacles?

If it is a dwelling, you may put 100 receptacles or more; I doubt that you can put that many. If it is a commercial or industrial application, you are limited to 180 VA per receptacle yoke. :D
 
Re: gfci / how many load receptacles?

I've thought somebody had mentioned this before, about limitations from the manufacture of the rececptacle.

Does the paper work that came with the GFCI mention any limitations?
 
Re: gfci / how many load receptacles?

Pass and Seymore has no limitation in their paperwork that comes with a GFCI receptacle.
 
Re: gfci / how many load receptacles?

I remember reading that all standard receptacles have a small amount of "leakage". Something like .5ma .
I remember coming to the conclusion that 5 or 6 downstream is max before nuisance tripping could occur.

Of course like Charlie said, the NEC has no max for resi.

[ March 05, 2004, 09:09 AM: Message edited by: speedypetey ]
 
Re: gfci / how many load receptacles?

I don't believe it's the number receptacles that is the problem. Receptacles don't have a current leakage, but the wire will have a capacitance leakage. This means that the longer the branch circuit is, there is more leakage due to wires in parallel.
 
Re: gfci / how many load receptacles?

For what it is worth, I have used 2 - 100 foot #12 SO cords, end to end, to provide power to an outside shed that was under construction and under roof. We plugged 50 ft. SJO cords into the outlet box in the middle of the floor for our power. These cords were plugged into a GFCI receptacle (yes, I tested it) at the house and a wrap of Slipknot gray was put around the end to end connection (it was also set up on a scrap piece of plywood). We worked for a whole day with the SO cords in the rain with no problem. I got out of the electrical contracting business in 1975 so this was a while ago. :D
 
Re: gfci / how many load receptacles?

Most manufacturers have 6 stickers with their gfci receptacles so is that the max allowed???
 
Re: gfci / how many load receptacles?

wayne, what brand gfi's are you using? my P&S's have 7 stickers. you may be getting ripped off! or have a gfi of a lesser quality?
 
Re: gfci / how many load receptacles?

I think they are cooper brand BTW,they come with spanish stickers too_One of our crews affixed these and as I walked the final the inspector looked really strange and asked me why are they in spanish ??? As quick as I could I said well because the home owners are spanish....Got my final LOL LOL LOL :D
 
Re: gfci / how many load receptacles?

wayne, that's good! guess since no one knows for sure, i'll just put as many as i can get away with until inspectors pop off. may try to email manufacturers but probably won't ever hear back.
 
Re: gfci / how many load receptacles?

Ronson
You should email or call the 800 number. My experience is the call will net you an answer during that call and email will usually result in an answer in no more than two working days. Let us know the answer!

Pierre
 
Re: gfci / how many load receptacles?

Ronson its not a guess,our purchasing agent puts us through fits with his low bid routine.What we use goes by the price that week.
 
Re: gfci / how many load receptacles?

pierre, whose email or 800 # did you have in mind? wayne, can you elaborate on your posting? i'm not sure i follow you all the way.
 
Re: gfci / how many load receptacles?

Ronson
You can type into the manufacturer's website and go to the technical or contact page. There is usually a phone number and email address for questions. I emailed Leviton and Eagle and should have the results today or tomorrow, I will post them when I get them.

Pierre
 
Re: gfci / how many load receptacles?

pierre, thanks for contacting leviton & eagle. i accessed pass & seymour's site & it said there was no limit on # of downstream receptacles but said there could end up being a problem due to length of run.
 
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