Gfci Question

[gypsie32]

I want to replace my current wall outlet with a GFCI outlet to plug my aquarium equipment into. I have spoken with 2 electricians..1 said that all I had to do is replace the wall socket with the gfci and the other guy said when replacing with a GFCI that it needs to be wired to the breaker box...Can anyone give me any feedback? I can change the outlet if I don't need to wire to the breaker box...any info would be great!

 

[reefnut]

Your existing receptacle is already wired to the breaker box so all you need to do is remove the existing receptacle and replace it with the GFCI.

 

[smokinstarfish]

Yeah, do it the outlet way.

 

[gypsie32]

Just wanted to make sure, Im not much of a electricity guru..I have already bought the new outlet $11 just have to change it out...Thanks again

 

[shanev]

This is true. The only problem you may come up with is that any outlet or switch further down the line from the new GFCI will be GFCUI protected and must have the ground wire on it. When I did mine one of my light switches wasnt grounded so the GFCI tripped as soono as power was turned on. Just something to check if something goes screwy.

 

[bang guy]

It's worth the effort to find the outlet closest to the breaker box in the circuit your aquarium is on. GFCI outlets protect ALL of the outlets after it in the circuit not just the outlets in the GFCI.

 

[scottnj]

The electrician who said you needed to have it done at the breaker box may have been talking about the older style GFI breakers which went in the box and used normal outlets.
If you have a new GFCI outlet with the test button, you should be fine just chainging out the outlet.
-Scott