How to Wire a GFCI Outlet - What's Line vs Load? - Electrical Wiring 101

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  • čas přidán 28. 05. 2024
  • This video covers the essentials of installing a GFCI Outlet (or GFCI receptacle), including line vs load terminals, wiring basics, why back wiring is OK and much more!
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Komentáře • 561

  • @cww922
    @cww922 Před 2 lety +461

    Easy way to explain Line & Load that I find is to remind people that the 'IN' in Line represents power coming in, while the 'O' in Load means power going out downstream.

    • @smoothjb2384
      @smoothjb2384 Před 2 lety +5

      I like the way chuck explained it! Like to meet a guy like you on the job site. I’ve been in the field for almost 4 years but I work for a controls company and we usually mess with a lot of low voltage stuff so I’m trying to get the high voltage knowledge to go along with my low voltage I need a raise lol

    • @ariz09011
      @ariz09011 Před 2 lety +2

      @@smoothjb2384 ok

    • @nathangentry9926
      @nathangentry9926 Před 2 lety +16

      I always used the fishing analogy. You throw your line in the water and pull your load out.

    • @auletjohnast03638
      @auletjohnast03638 Před 2 lety +3

      Chuck Williams, Downstream is a phrase in the Beatles song "I'm Only Sleeping".

    • @DiffEQ
      @DiffEQ Před 2 lety +4

      No mnemonic required. If you don't know the difference between LINE and LOAD, then you have no business working on electrical systems. It's also just EASIER to remember what LINE means instead of having to remember a mnemonic which renders zero understanding.

  • @netwonc
    @netwonc Před rokem +168

    As a 80 year old man, I appreciate you young people explaining the way you do. Technology has sure changed since my youth. Thanks so much for your sharing your knowledge.

    • @TopHomeowner
      @TopHomeowner  Před rokem +6

      Glad to help!

    • @aaronanderson6362
      @aaronanderson6362 Před 11 měsíci +10

      Sir you’re 80? Maybe 81 by now- my mom is 60 and can’t turn her phone off and on- you sir are commenting on a CZcams video. You are awesome! And you are staying with tech pretty good

    • @jackriley5974
      @jackriley5974 Před 10 měsíci

      I'm 81 and after 4 minutes of this gave it up because this guy doesn't know how to side-wire this outlet. I'm not going to explain. Look around; there must be another 50 vlogs on the same subject (many of them incorrect as well?)

    • @SummerofJoy
      @SummerofJoy Před 5 měsíci +1

      @@jackriley5974 You don't have to side wire a GFCI, it's called back wiring and it's just as good. The plates clamp down as you tighten the screw. Leviton now has Wago style recepticles that take 3 seconds to wire. Decora Edge. Side wiring will be obsolete soon.

    • @DR-zi3wz
      @DR-zi3wz Před 8 dny

      @@jackriley5974 You mean "back-stabbing" not "side-wiring". The blue residential grade outlet he is using to demo the "back-wiring" is actually "back-stabbing" - and that's a disaster waiting to happen. He demos "back-wiring" on the GFCI outlet.

  • @bobpond7973
    @bobpond7973 Před rokem +65

    IMPORTANT: Leviton GFCI's have "Line" terminals at the top. The model shown in this video (including the wiring diagram shown) has line terminals at the bottom. At 3:35 in the video you note something like "If you are replacing an old GFCI with a new GFCI then it is easier to do as you just place the wires from the line terminals of the old GFCI onto the line terminals of the new GFCI." Strictly speaking this is correct, but only if you use a voltage tester or actually read the labels on the back of the old GFCI and the new GFCI. If you are unfortunate, your old GFCI may have the line terminals on the top while your new GFCI has the line terminals on the bottom. If this is the case and you simply move the top wires from the old GFCI to the top terminals of the new GFCI and move the bottom wires from the old to the bottom terminals of the new then the LED of the GFCI will light up green, suggesting that it is active, but the GFCI will not reset, the outlet itself will not be live and the downstream circuit will not be live. You may then think that you have to call an electrician to track down a (non-existant) ground fault. The bottom line (no pun intended): when wiring a GFCI, you MUST read the labels on the back of the outlet (or read the installation instructions that come with the new GFCI) and make sure to connect the live wire from the panel and the neutral coming from the panel onto the terminals marked "line" on the back of the new GFCI outlet.

    • @Jetmo
      @Jetmo Před rokem +3

      Just happened to me. I had a phone call with an electrician and he helped me over the phone, great guy. It was an Leviton as well! Thanks!

    • @Boooslayer
      @Boooslayer Před rokem +2

      Nice

    • @MrRlovely
      @MrRlovely Před rokem +8

      I'm not an electrician but I think the correct way to do it would be to to remove the old outlet, cap the hot wires, energize the circuit and then voltage test. Reading the old outlet is assuming the previous installer did the job correctly, which isn't something I would do.

    • @ruffhausmalinois
      @ruffhausmalinois Před rokem +5

      100%accurate..... Leviton has everything labeled.... Darwinproof for most

    • @coopcoo
      @coopcoo Před 10 měsíci +1

      What if I replace a normal outlet with GFCI (leviton), it's a single outlet, nothing downstream. I connected to the line side but my LED light didn't turn on (outlet was working though) and I tripped it but it won't reset?

  • @gregoryv.zimansr4031
    @gregoryv.zimansr4031 Před 8 měsíci +4

    Thanks for your video. You answered my question about line and load. LINE IN---LOAD OUT

  • @jameygallegos9919
    @jameygallegos9919 Před 8 dny

    Much easier to follow your instruction than the written directions, thank you!

  • @ashhiro8179
    @ashhiro8179 Před 2 lety +16

    Very helpful! Thank you for laying it all out and with basic pictures! Super helpful

  • @robertking2582
    @robertking2582 Před rokem

    Excellent job explaining how to wire a GFCI outlet. Thank you very much

  • @user-lt9wo3se1h
    @user-lt9wo3se1h Před 2 měsíci

    Thank you for your warm and enthusiastic explanation! I got my questions answered.

  • @fyermun
    @fyermun Před 7 měsíci +4

    Best and easiest explanation of understanding and installing a gfci outlet. Thank you.

  • @firemann3295
    @firemann3295 Před 8 měsíci +3

    Great video with clear & simple explanation. Also includes some great tips and reasons to not do certain things. Thank you very much!

  • @christopherwiddis8453
    @christopherwiddis8453 Před 2 lety +1

    Great video, clear cut and straight forward .

  • @kenmoritz2483
    @kenmoritz2483 Před 9 měsíci

    Great video. The best explanation with detail that any novice can follow.

  • @amirdindar9648
    @amirdindar9648 Před rokem +2

    Super helpful! Thank you for being so clear and to-the-point

  • @stevenjulie4698
    @stevenjulie4698 Před 2 lety +15

    Most comprehensive explanation of GFCI receptacles I've seen so far! Thanks! Learned a lot!

  • @rong8324
    @rong8324 Před 2 lety +6

    Thanks so much for taking the time to explain this. Really great video and camera work!!

  • @lenjoplus
    @lenjoplus Před rokem

    Great explanation. Clear with no excess verbiage.

  • @laoshark
    @laoshark Před 2 lety +4

    Great job. I appreciate how you get straight to the point.

  • @dstmars1
    @dstmars1 Před 10 měsíci

    Thanks. Good video. My home was built in 1990 so I was looking for info about how to update the electrics to bring the home into todays code requirements and this video was a great help.

  • @wazzouz
    @wazzouz Před 8 měsíci +1

    Thanks for showing how to connect a GFCI. Great video.

  • @natemonk89
    @natemonk89 Před rokem

    Thank you. I needed a quick refresher when putting one in.

  • @RadioFixer
    @RadioFixer Před rokem

    The best video on CZcams regarding this project. Excellent job 👍👏👏

  • @SovanoraHounKhin
    @SovanoraHounKhin Před 2 lety +4

    I like the way you show the pic of diagram how to hook wire up to the recepticals.
    Great educational.

    • @TopHomeowner
      @TopHomeowner  Před 2 lety

      Thanks!

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  • @mmkkjkkkkkkkmmmm
    @mmkkjkkkkkkkmmmm Před 2 lety +2

    Thanks for helping me understand the difference between the load and the line. I was struggling with that untill I watched your video.

  • @elliot8096
    @elliot8096 Před 2 lety +1

    This is the best video on this topic on youtube, subscribed.

  • @ronkochevar1057
    @ronkochevar1057 Před rokem

    Thanks man. super simple and easy to follow. cheers!

  • @ricardo19851
    @ricardo19851 Před 2 lety

    The video is probably the best on the internet. You described it good thanks

  • @PaliBhangoo
    @PaliBhangoo Před rokem

    Amazing no nonsense explanation. Thanks 👍

  • @0819kent
    @0819kent Před 8 měsíci

    Just replaced a GFI with the help of your excellent explanation thank you!

  • @denisestarr2314
    @denisestarr2314 Před rokem

    Thank you .
    Good ,clean simple leason.

  • @apagan65
    @apagan65 Před 2 lety +2

    Very good explanation for any beginner. Thank you for your detailed information. 👍

  • @kortisbraun9798
    @kortisbraun9798 Před rokem

    Excellent....very well and plainly explained.
    you're good.
    You know your stuff.

  • @garriedaden4168
    @garriedaden4168 Před rokem

    Very clear and helpful. Thanks

  • @michaelhagen9714
    @michaelhagen9714 Před 24 dny

    This really helped me out a lot. Thank you for making it so easy to understand! Was able to get my wiring project done!

  • @kennyw871
    @kennyw871 Před 2 lety +4

    Very well done in all respects. Like I always say, it's easy when you know how. You made this task easy, now I know (understand) why. Thank you very much.

    • @TopHomeowner
      @TopHomeowner  Před 2 lety +2

      Thanks for the comment and I'm glad it was helpful!

  • @jimthompson129
    @jimthompson129 Před 9 měsíci

    Super informative video!! Very well done - I learned a lot! Thank you!!!!!

  • @Honestandtruth
    @Honestandtruth Před 2 lety +3

    Man....... You are so thorough fully...👍👍
    Thank you

  • @ryanv7195
    @ryanv7195 Před 3 měsíci

    Awsome video! Thank you. This was intricate in me wiring my own correctly.

  • @juanvargas9
    @juanvargas9 Před rokem +1

    Thank you. Great job at teaching!

  • @e.b.6766
    @e.b.6766 Před 2 lety +2

    Great video. Very useful information for my mental toolbox!!!

  • @christopherhathaway6767
    @christopherhathaway6767 Před 2 lety +6

    Excellent explanation of the load versus line and the different types of connecting the wires. Thank you very much as I am now comfortable with proceeding to replace my GFCI outlet.

  • @DIYwithCam
    @DIYwithCam Před 2 lety +4

    Very helpful video for someone with limited electrical knowledge, like me.

  • @kavocat8497
    @kavocat8497 Před 5 měsíci

    Thank you for this! Very good and simple explanation.

  • @lancer525
    @lancer525 Před 4 měsíci

    I had a guy at one of the local electrical supply house say that it was Line In from the panel and Load Out to other outlets. A good way to remember it for DIYers.

  • @cortlanolson1025
    @cortlanolson1025 Před 2 lety +12

    Thank you! Trying to setup Christmas lights on my home that I just purchased a couple months ago and none of the exterior outlets had power! Turns out that they were all wired incorrectly, the explanation on Load vs Line made it very clear.

  • @touxiong7814
    @touxiong7814 Před 7 měsíci

    Great explanation and diagram to help us DYI homeowner etc... Excellent

  • @briancalvin5222
    @briancalvin5222 Před 11 měsíci

    Excellent job explaining with video. I'm doing this in my bath now. Thanks bud !

  • @TraddSlayton
    @TraddSlayton Před rokem

    Excellent job explaining this!

  • @k.a9567
    @k.a9567 Před rokem +1

    Very good explanation. Thanks

  • @joef1159
    @joef1159 Před rokem

    Explain very well ,easy understand thanks for video 👍

  • @eusebiohernandez2898
    @eusebiohernandez2898 Před rokem +1

    Much better video then the last, alot easier to understand.

    • @eusebiohernandez2898
      @eusebiohernandez2898 Před rokem

      I've got a lot of electrical plugs that i need to replace so this video will really help

  • @CharLie-kd9vb
    @CharLie-kd9vb Před 2 lety +1

    Great Clear Detailed Video
    Thanks

  • @alexanderdow5347
    @alexanderdow5347 Před rokem

    So much great info in a few minutes....thanx!

  • @jeffcollins3898
    @jeffcollins3898 Před 2 lety +10

    Thanks, this was super helpful. I replaced some GFCI outlets and they didn't work after I was very careful to make sure all wiring was done exactly the same way. Couldn't figure out what was wrong, so I watched this video. Turns out the Line/Load indicators were opposite (Line on top of old receptacle, and on the bottom of the new one). Thanks, saved me tons of troubleshooting time!

  • @G.I.JeffsWorkbench
    @G.I.JeffsWorkbench Před měsícem

    Very thorough. Thank you.

  • @L1s478
    @L1s478 Před rokem

    Learned so much from this! Thank you!

  • @RS-sl5ko
    @RS-sl5ko Před 9 měsíci

    Best, clearest explanation that I have found. The only thing not mentioned is if you have a receptacle before the ground fault receptacle that is controlled by the same breaker. Ie.- garage door verses receptacles In the garage walls.

  • @lashonyataylor9492
    @lashonyataylor9492 Před 4 měsíci

    I find this video very helpful I have to replace one ,thank you for sharing

  • @matthoward6130
    @matthoward6130 Před měsícem

    Great! Exactly what I needed

  • @davido6915
    @davido6915 Před 2 lety

    Thanks buddy! Good video and easy to understand!

  • @sergueyherrero9071
    @sergueyherrero9071 Před 2 lety +1

    This video helped me fix the issue. Thanks.

  • @georgeeddy594
    @georgeeddy594 Před 5 měsíci

    Thanks! Very clear explanation!

  • @alfonsocaro4221
    @alfonsocaro4221 Před rokem

    Very well explained.

  • @skeeterskoville9226
    @skeeterskoville9226 Před 7 měsíci

    Needed the refresher. Thanks bro!

  • @ernestojosesanchez1696

    Thank you so much for explain about the Gfci

  • @firehorse66elaine
    @firehorse66elaine Před rokem

    Wow, thanks so much, I blew out my gcfi outside, hooked wires to the line terminals. Nothing worked, even the kitchen lights, I was afraid to hook them up to the taped load wires. Watched your video and decided that I needed to hook them to loaded terminals, and like magic they all work now!

  • @stevenhm88
    @stevenhm88 Před rokem

    Amazing!!! It was a piece of cake after your explanation 🎉

  • @abhijitkarkare
    @abhijitkarkare Před 2 lety

    Wow, you made this very easy, thanks

  • @ibbriley399
    @ibbriley399 Před 2 lety

    Anyone needing this level of instruction has no business doing the work unsupervised.

  • @richardcurb7870
    @richardcurb7870 Před rokem

    Excellent explanation thanks

  • @thomassohayda3375
    @thomassohayda3375 Před 2 lety +34

    A good one to remember is line in and load out for power to a gfci. Also where you have old knob and tube wiring with no ground, if you run a ground to the first outlet and install a gfci like the example in the video, every plug after that will be gfi protected even though there's no ground.

    • @2Truth4Liberty
      @2Truth4Liberty Před 2 lety

      Is there any benefit in running a ground from the GFCI to the downstream outlets rather than just using "two-wire w/o grd"?

    • @thomassohayda3375
      @thomassohayda3375 Před 2 lety +3

      @@2Truth4Liberty definitely, having a direct to earth ground on every plug is ideal. Alot of folks can't afford a complete rewire, so adding a gfci like I suggested is a temporary solution that works and is within budget for most.

    • @DiffEQ
      @DiffEQ Před 2 lety +6

      No mnemonic required. If you don't know the difference between LINE and LOAD, then you have no business working on electrical systems. It's also just EASIER to remember what LINE means instead of having to remember a mnemonic which renders zero understanding.
      Why do you speak on things you clearly don't understand. GFCI protection is ground independent and NO GROUND IS REQUIRED for GFCI protection. Period. If you have three-prong receptacles, then it's dangerous if there is no actual ground because the device you're plugging in is designed for protective ground if it has a three-prong plug. Stop giving advice as if you KNOW the subject when it is clear to those who do that you're ignorant.

    • @DiffEQ
      @DiffEQ Před 2 lety +1

      @@2Truth4Liberty Don't listen to this fraud. GFCI protects downstream devices and no ground is required. Period. If you home does not have protective grounds run, then GFCI is a great way of protecting people from electrocution because it senses very small (1-3 mA) current differences in the HOT and Neutral conductors. You need to be very careful, though, that there is no other neutral path downstream or the GFCI will trip every time since both the HOT and Neutral need to be connected only to the GFCI on the LOAD side.

    • @markrenton1093
      @markrenton1093 Před rokem

      @@DiffEQ , I just replaced mine and the instructions on the GFCI showed it to be grounded.

  • @TheLaidbackBiker
    @TheLaidbackBiker Před rokem

    Very good video. Thank you.

  • @sauchoi1025
    @sauchoi1025 Před rokem

    Thank you for the information it teach us the difference between the two, like it.

  • @MinerH2O
    @MinerH2O Před měsícem

    Thank you! Big help!!!

  • @shockproof2006
    @shockproof2006 Před 8 měsíci

    "Loads" of good information, Thanks!

  • @peterbiagini4809
    @peterbiagini4809 Před rokem

    Excellent presentation. Very good and simple explanation. Not like some of the crap put online by total idiots who think they actually know what they're doing.

  • @markshively1365
    @markshively1365 Před 2 lety +2

    Very well done. Doing my basement remodel and wanted to tap off an existing outlet - switching that to a GFCI will make the new downstream outlets much safer. Thanks!

  • @sterlinggreen155
    @sterlinggreen155 Před 2 měsíci

    Damn very well and simply explained 👏 👌 👍

  • @1ofhischildren453
    @1ofhischildren453 Před 8 měsíci

    Nice refresher

  • @johnmelvin2357
    @johnmelvin2357 Před rokem

    Great video. Thanks

  • @lordbyron3603
    @lordbyron3603 Před 7 měsíci

    Very helpful !! Thank you !

  • @jjm2233
    @jjm2233 Před rokem

    thank you for the tips! replaced the old gfci and added a new outlet with USB! 🤙🤙🤙

    • @TopHomeowner
      @TopHomeowner  Před rokem

      Awesome! I'm sure that will be nice to have :)

  • @davidbaik4121
    @davidbaik4121 Před rokem +1

    Thank you so much for simple and clear explanation!! Save me $250!

  • @cattigereyes1
    @cattigereyes1 Před 2 lety +2

    Where I work tested the outlets found 2 black wire white wires reversed! To a GFCI out let in the bathroom! A big no no for a commercial location! The wiring has many open grounds due to being old and one outlet out in the lobby! Yes I used to work for a electrician! Started school for it but the whole trig was out of my wheel house!

  • @user-bx1wj9nf4o
    @user-bx1wj9nf4o Před 11 měsíci

    ❤❤❤❤LOVE YOUR TUTS VERY EASY TO UNDERSTAND ❤❤❤

  • @FRJ1982
    @FRJ1982 Před rokem +1

    Easiest way for me to explain line and load to someone is Line is like powerLINEs outside (where the power actually comes from)...and load is like as if you are downLOADing something, you are sending information (power) to something/somewhere else

  • @erikmjelde4428
    @erikmjelde4428 Před 2 lety

    Thanks, very helpful

  • @maxmott7489
    @maxmott7489 Před 11 měsíci

    Perfect explanation

  • @yousukkar6497
    @yousukkar6497 Před rokem

    helpful allot for mentioning that all the following circuit is protected thank you very much

  • @45searay
    @45searay Před rokem

    Very helpful !

  • @jc65211
    @jc65211 Před 2 lety

    Great vid…thanks brother!

  • @iraqi7299
    @iraqi7299 Před měsícem

    Good man, you made my day

  • @fort3463
    @fort3463 Před 7 měsíci

    Thank you Sir for this video. You have explained very well for me a diy person like myself. I’m going to subscribe to your channel very very clear. Thanks for your support, I will be watching. Thanks from Georgia.

  • @stevenhernandez2108
    @stevenhernandez2108 Před rokem

    Thank you that was so helpful

  • @timmurphy1622
    @timmurphy1622 Před rokem

    Very clear thanks

  • @randyw.8781
    @randyw.8781 Před 3 měsíci

    Very helpful, thanks. One of mine in the kitchen sparked and shutdown killing all the downstream outlets. I noted at Home Depot they have 15 amp and 20 amp rated GFCI outlets. I assume both will work but will get the higher rated one.

  • @christopherrobnn
    @christopherrobnn Před rokem

    Finally found a video that answered my question...

  • @panelpal111
    @panelpal111 Před 9 měsíci

    Good explanation

  • @chris23384
    @chris23384 Před rokem

    Thank you very helpful!

  • @ivanarnaud35
    @ivanarnaud35 Před rokem

    Great. Much appreciated.

  • @oscarmondragonuribe7840

    You are extremely professional on explaining every detail excellent tone of voice and proper words easy to catch everything no bad words make the teaching more professional thank you