Greetings folks. I am installing outdoor outlets around my yard. I already have the conduit run and boxes installed. My question: what is the correct method 1) GFI outlets with a normal breaker, 2) normal outlets with a GFI breaker, or 3) GFI outlets and a GFI breaker?
Getting the details right for a wall assembly with the control layers to the exterior and lots of drying potential.
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Replies
I prefer GFI outlets with a normal breaker.It's easier to walk over and reset the button on the recepticle then to walk to the panel.
Same as Gunner
Gunner and Dave are right that it is much easier to reset the GFCIs if the GFCIs is right there at the receptacle.
In my own house, I put the GFCIs for outdoor receptacles at the last receptacle inside the house. And then took the "load" terminals on the indoor GFCI outside in romex to a good quality ($4.50) receptacle. My three reasons were: 1) outside is a moist environment for the circuit inside the GFCI, 2) I'm right on the beach so the salt air has a corrosive effect, and 3) I'm not sure if GFCIs are mil-spec down to the -40, -45F which we get sometimes.
My last two reasons wouldn't apply to most people. And a GFCI is only $10. So putting them outside is okay with me, but keep checking the test button. And replace any that go bad over the years.
For my garage, with outside outlets on all four corners, I went with a GFCI breaker. So they are all on that one circuit.
David Thomas Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska
You can feed from one GFCI outlet downstream to the other outlets. Then you need only one GFCI. You then have the problem of all outlets shutting off simultaneously if there is a fault, but you don't have to go inside to cycle a breaker.
Edited 5/11/2002 3:50:02 PM ET by MARKH128
Gunners right.
GFI breaker about $20. GFI receptacle about $11.
Breaker- at house. Receptacle- close to work.
Bill,
Like others have said, GFCI outlet is more straighfoward and cheap and maybe easier than GFCI breakers (use only one at the beginning of the circuit - everything downstream will be protected - but if you're running a constant need appliance like an outdoor fridge it needs it's own circuit w/o GFCI). But there generally rather fragile so check it monthly as the manufacturer will surely suggest. I wonder if spec grade GFCIs are of better quality and more appropriate for outdoors?
I do like the idea of having the first outlet (GFCI) inside and the rest protected by that outlet outside. In my part of the country (Colorado) many, many homes have the panel outside, but it's also quite a bit dryer here with less corrosion.
Good luck!
Seth
Seth,
My sub-panel is outdoors already because I run 2 swimming pool motors and a GFCI for an underwater pool light. I want to add another circuit for a string of fence mounted outlets. I haven't had a problem with moisture.$ Bill
dollarb2,
It may depend on how deep your conduit is. GFCI protected wires can be 12" deep. Conduit w/o GFCI on the wiring is deeper (18" or 24" if I remember right). I went with GFCI because I don't much like to dig!!
John