Installation

• Before beginning installation, turn the power off. Double check this to be certain the power is indeed off. This can be done with a simple device that will cost as little as a few dollars. This is a small investment for a device that could save your life. Installing a GFCI receptacle for single location protection is a very straight forward process. You should have three wires, a green, white and black. In some instances the black will be replaced with a red wire. You will need two small sections (jumpers) of black and white wire and three wire nuts. Install the jumper wires to the "line" terminals of the GFCI device. Then tie the white wire into the white wire on the incoming and outgoing sides of the outlet. You should have three white wires tied together under a single wire nut.Repeat this for the black wire. Tie the ground wires together with a lead going to the green ground screw, which should be located at the bock of the junction box.
  
  

What the GFCI Does

• The GFCI will monitor the flow of electricity through the device. If the amount of current flowing through the circuit is different from the current returning to the circuit, this indicates a short. When a short is detected the GFCI will shut down all electrical power to the device. This will help prevent fire as well as severe electrical shocks and electrocution. On the front of the device will be a test and a reset button. If when you turn on the power after installation the GFCI device fails, press the reset button. If it fails again this is an indication you have a short in the circuit and the device will not function until the short is corrected.
  
  

Finding The Short

• If the GFCI detects a short, turn the power off. You will need to locate the short which could be in several areas. If you nicked a wire during installation and it is touching the side of the junction box or the ground wire, it could result in a short. If a wire has been worn bare inside of an appliance and is touching the metal casing of the appliance, this too will result in a short. Your first step should be to check the work you just completed, making certain you did not nick a wire, or that a wire can become loose from the receptacle during installation in the junction box. If all is well here, follow the wire to the next junction box or device and conduct an inspection there. Continue in this way until you locate the short. Repair all shorts before turning power back on to the receptacle.