GFI

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Agreed. HOWEVER, I have witnessed where one GFI would trip when the other one was reset. But then it just needed reset and all was right with the world. Just reset them in the right order when testing or after trip. But that was only a couple installations I'd seen like that. Most that were double-protected were still independent, though it was a crapshoot which would trip first to protect the circuit.

So the only real issue is an ignorant homeowner swearing up and down the that GFCI in the bathroom is NOT tripped, but not knowing that the still-existing GFCI in the garage (it used to be common to use it to feed bathrooms, like in my 95 home) did (and now is buried behind a cabinet). Times are fun as a troubleshooter.
 
Fireslayer47 said:
What is the reason for not installing a GFI outlet on a GFI protected circuit with circuit breaker?
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Often its a waste of money to do it.

But there are a couple of occasions where redundancy, imo, would be better-like anything outdoor around water....boats docks marina etc- like I said just an opinion though-the gfci failure rate has improved fwiu, but it still does happen. Iwire had posted some info one time *I think* that had the exact percentages.

Other times, its better to have the gfci protection at the device, and not in a panel at all- I've heard here before that in comm kitchens its good to do it that way to keep restaurant staff from fumbling around in a panel.
 
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user 100 said:
Often its a waste of money to do it.

But there are a couple of occasions where redundancy, imo, would be better-like anything outdoor around water....boats docks marina etc- like I said just an opinion though-the gfci failure rate has improved fwiu, but it still does happen. Iwire had posted some info one time *I think* that had the exact percentages.

Other times, its better to have the gfci protection at the device, and not in a panel at all- I've heard here before that in comm kitchens its good to do it that way to keep restaurant staff from fumbling around in a panel.
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Along those same lines, GFCIs are required to be tested regularly. A LOT of homeowners will not open a CB panel to save their souls, so using a GFCI breaker will result in the testing not being performed. Using a GFCI receptacle with the little button right there in the kitchen or bathroom makes that less unlikely. I test mine monthly, usually inadvertently by plugging in my shaver or toothbrush charger with wet hands...
 
Jraef said:
Along those same lines, GFCIs are required to be tested regularly. A LOT of homeowners will not open a CB panel to save their souls, so using a GFCI breaker will result in the testing not being performed. Using a GFCI receptacle with the little button right there in the kitchen or bathroom makes that less unlikely. I test mine monthly, usually inadvertently by plugging in my shaver or toothbrush charger with wet hands...
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With the advent of the self testing receptacles, it's less of a problem now.

As to the OP's question, there's nothing wrong or against code for using two GFCI (or more) devices per circuit. Main issues is it's a waste of money and it can be more difficult to troubleshoot if one is unaware of the 2nd GFCI device.
 
JFletcher said:
With the advent of the self testing receptacles, it's less of a problem now.

As to the OP's question, there's nothing wrong or against code for using two GFCI (or more) devices per circuit. Main issues is it's a waste of money and it can be more difficult to troubleshoot if one is unaware of the 2nd GFCI device.
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Self testing GFCI outlets came about after I stopped doing any residential / commercial work, so I forgot about that.


Hmmm... now I'm wondering if the new self testing GFCI outlets will trip a GFCI breaker when they self test?
 
JFletcher said:
As to the OP's question, there's nothing wrong or against code for using two GFCI (or more) devices per circuit. Main issues is it's a waste of money and it can be more difficult to troubleshoot if one is unaware of the 2nd GFCI device.
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It sure can. I once had a troubleshoot call for dead bedroom receptacles, and found three (yes, three) GFCI receptacles in the circuit, all wired feed-through. Egad! The tripped one was under a small table in the hallway. I suggested having me remove them, but they declined.
 
LarryFine said:
It sure can. I once had a troubleshoot call for dead bedroom receptacles, and found three (yes, three) GFCI receptacles in the circuit, all wired feed-through. Egad! The tripped one was under a small table in the hallway. I suggested having me remove them, but they declined.
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I have needed two GFCI receptacles on one circuit for a reason, but I wired them line only.
 
GFI

Ok, thanks for your responses. Let me clarify a few things. Someone recently told me a GFI receptacle and a GFI breaker cannot be on the same circuit because one would cause the other to trip and would not reset. Ive never seen this, but have experience one or the other to trip when tested with tester or some faulty wiring on the load side. The same one would not trip each time. What is it that caused it to skip the GFI receptacle and go straight to the breaker?
 
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