Rec downstream of GFCI

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C3PO

C3PO

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Location
Tennessee
I remember reading in the instructions of some GFCI receptacles that you could only protect five or so regular receptacles downstream. It has been 4-5 years since I have seen any that said this.

Has anyone seen this in the instructions before?
Are there still any out there that say this?
 
DanZ said:
I had heard 7, but everything I'm finding now says "any" or something similar. I don't suppose anyone has an instruction sheet handy that would mention it?:roll: :grin:
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All of the instructions I have looked at now don't say anything about it. I guess if there is not a limit mentioned in the instructions then it doesn't matter how many are downstream. :confused:
 
I have never heard of a limit so I just pulled the Pass & Seymour Instructions out and I cannot find any info that limits the number of recep. protected by the GFCI
 
stickboy1375 said:
Even if it there was a limit on it, how would the GFCI know? ;) :grin:
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Well, the only things that should matter is the length of the run following the GFCI and the load current. What's the difference between ten 60w bulbs and six 100w to a GFCI? :confused:
 
I don't think it is a big issue, but I remember seeing it in the instructions years ago. Maybe I am just losing my mind and it was never in there.
 
I think that some of them (maybe even all of them) have a max length of wire noted for the load side.

From a practical standpoint, just realize that many items that you'll plug-in on the load side will have minute measurable leakages. The more load side receptacles you provide, the greater number of items with minute leakages that may be plugged in. It doesn't take long to hit 5 or 6 ma, and it may never be clear which one(s) of the items was/were the offender(s). So, there are some common sense reasons to limit the load side receptacles. Probably not a good idea to have a GFCI at the house protect 10 others out in the flowerbeds, for instance.
 
mdshunk said:
From a practical standpoint, just realize that many items that you'll plug-in on the load side will have minute measurable leakages. The more load side receptacles you provide, the greater number of items with minute leakages that may be plugged in. It doesn't take long to hit 5 or 6 ma, and it may never be clear which one(s) of the items was/were the offender(s). So, there are some common sense reasons to limit the load side receptacles.
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Yeah, makes you wonder about the classic old school practice of putting one GFCI in the garage or under the main panel in the basement, and then load-siding the rest of the garage, bathroom, and outside receptacles off of it.
 
peter d said:
Yeah, makes you wonder about the classic old school practice of putting one GFCI in the garage or under the main panel in the basement, and then load-siding the rest of the garage, bathroom, and outside receptacles off of it.
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I don't have to wonder too hard about it. I've been on those trouble calls. That can make for one heck of a bill sometimes. Dare I point out that this is where the megger becomes an essential troubleshooting tool? Nah.
 
mdshunk said:
I don't have to wonder too hard about it. I've been on those trouble calls. That can make for one heck of a bill sometimes. Dare I point out that this is where the megger becomes an essential troubleshooting tool? Nah.
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I should have said "Makes you wonder what the heck they were thinking when they did it that way." I guess wire was cheap and GFCI's were expensive back then? :confused:
 
peter d said:
I should have said "Makes you wonder what the heck they were thinking when they did it that way."
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Come on Pete, your not that slow and your quick to save a buck. :cool:

When we used to do it that way it was for one reason only and that was $.

I did not like doing it that way but it was legal and it was how the boss wanted it.
 
iwire said:
Come on Pete, your not that slow and your quick to save a buck. :cool:
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No really, I honestly can't wrap my mind around that one. I guess I'm looking at it in 2008 terms where GFCI's can be had for $7 and wire is very expensive.

But back then, bathroom circuits didn't have to be 20 amp either. So I kinda get it....
 
peter d said:
I guess I'm looking at it in 2008 terms where GFCI's can be had for $7
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$7.00 is less then $14 or $21 x how many condos in the building.

and wire is very expensive
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No matter how you do it you will be running wire, so yes you might use a bit more wire it was not a lot more. :smile:

The same boss would have me rough the ranges with 6/3 AL SE but for the finish he would have me use 3 wire outlets and range pigtails ......... unless the inspector bagged him on it.
 
iwire said:
he same boss would have me rough the ranges with 6/3 AL SE but for the finish he would have me use 3 wire outlets and range pigtails ......... unless the inspector bagged him on it.
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He sounds like a class act. :roll:
 
iwire said:
$7.00 is less then $14 or $21 x how many condos in the building.
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Yeah, I see that now...you know when you're used to doing things to modern codes it can be hard to look backwards, but either way although it was code legal it was a pretty horrible design.
 
peter d said:
Yeah, I see that now...you know when you're used to doing things to modern codes it can be hard to look backwards, but either way although it was code legal it was a pretty horrible design.
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Not really, my house has one GFCI breaker in the garage panel for all the required receptacles, and it has never tripped... its really not that big a deal.
 
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