The mysterious dead outlet
- Thread starter snakevargas
- Start date
tmbrown97
Senior Member
You mean like the GFCI that's in one of my master closets? Not even an outlet - just a standalone GFCI piece at switch height that apparently controls all the upstairs bathrooms.jpmargis said:
That said, I have neutrals in every box, extra deep boxes everywhere, and a dedicated 20-amp outlet in my eaves for christmas lights - so I have no complaints OTHER than absolutely maxing out my panel during initial install (all breakers already doubled up, only one space left).
snakevargas
Active Member
I'm curious why the powers that be haven't mandated that all GFCIs be installed at the panel in GFCI breakers? I would think there's value in locating all of the GFCIs in one location. I've had too many houses where branch outlets were linked to GFCIs in seemingly nonsensical topologies (I'm assuming the wiring made sense to the electrician, but it sure doesn't make sense to the homeowner!)
Is there any reason why you don't want a receptacle or light fixture protected by a GFCI? I suppose it might be somewhat inconvenient if you plug in your hair dryer and the lights go out due to a GFCI trip. But that just brings me to my second surprise. I'm surprised that the powers that be haven't mandated that receptacles and lights be on separate branches yet.
Is there any reason why you don't want a receptacle or light fixture protected by a GFCI? I suppose it might be somewhat inconvenient if you plug in your hair dryer and the lights go out due to a GFCI trip. But that just brings me to my second surprise. I'm surprised that the powers that be haven't mandated that receptacles and lights be on separate branches yet.
pete_c
Guru
I think its more just the different building codes and where you are at and what the electrical contractor can do or is trained to do and what is approved or not approved.
In the midwest house there are GFI's in every bathroom, kitchen, garage et al; even on all of the outside outlets. I have metal conduit and gang boxes here. There are neutrals in every box and many of the switches are configured as three way. The hallways on the first floor and second floor have something like 4 switches just for the hallways. On the second floor its nice because there is one outside of every bedroom. Just guessing it was a master electrician or an "obi wan" electrician that did the electric. In the last few years I've pulled more wire for more circuits and have done some granular circuit stuff filling out my panel.
In Florida the electric done with romex was totally different. I didn't really pay much attention and probably should have. Box to box there are neutrals; but the boxes are a bit shallow for me. That said though all of the kitchen outlets connect to one GFI in a bathroom away and in a different part of the house. Makes me wonder as the GFI's are a bit larger but these days are relatively inexpensive.
Yeah here in the midwest it was time consuming to check the electric; not so much the hot (black) and neutral (white) and ground (green) leads but rather the colors utilized for the travelers which are blue, yellow, red (?), et al. I did sort of document and clean up the fuse panel such that the circuits were documented a bit. It was low on the WAF; we used walkie talkies.
In the midwest house there are GFI's in every bathroom, kitchen, garage et al; even on all of the outside outlets. I have metal conduit and gang boxes here. There are neutrals in every box and many of the switches are configured as three way. The hallways on the first floor and second floor have something like 4 switches just for the hallways. On the second floor its nice because there is one outside of every bedroom. Just guessing it was a master electrician or an "obi wan" electrician that did the electric. In the last few years I've pulled more wire for more circuits and have done some granular circuit stuff filling out my panel.
In Florida the electric done with romex was totally different. I didn't really pay much attention and probably should have. Box to box there are neutrals; but the boxes are a bit shallow for me. That said though all of the kitchen outlets connect to one GFI in a bathroom away and in a different part of the house. Makes me wonder as the GFI's are a bit larger but these days are relatively inexpensive.
Yeah here in the midwest it was time consuming to check the electric; not so much the hot (black) and neutral (white) and ground (green) leads but rather the colors utilized for the travelers which are blue, yellow, red (?), et al. I did sort of document and clean up the fuse panel such that the circuits were documented a bit. It was low on the WAF; we used walkie talkies.
