I need to install a circuit of 12 outlets/light fixture in the basement. I understand each GFCI can control 3 downstream outlets (a total of 4). So use of 3 GFCIs should work for the circuit.
Are the any advantages using GFCI circuit breakers? Cost difference is neglegible.
YJ
Having a single place to go to reset it if/when it trips?
Last time I checked GFCI breakers were ~$30.00 and a GFCI outlet was ~$7.00.
Why are you installing GCFI's in the basement? If it floods electricity in any form would be hazardous. The NEC only requires GCFI's near water, the kitchen, baths and recpts with in 8 feet of ground level, and pools.
Loading of the outlets is up to you. You could put all of the outlets on 1 circuit if you wanted, depending on your loading.
Chicken soup....."it can't hurt" :-)
Who told you only 3 downstream outlets on a GFCI? There is no limit. And you don't want to GFCI permanent light fixtures.
The use of a standard circuit breaker and a GFCI outlet is cheaper than using a GFCI circuit breaker, and using 2 seperate devices with sererate functions makes future disgnosis of a problem a lot easier.
In addition, if this is a "finished" basement, GFCI protection is not required by code.
Isn't that a code requirement that basement outlets have to be GFCI?
A circuit of 12 outlets require at least 3 GFCI repts. So there wasn't much cost difference.
As John said, a single breaker for the circuit is easier to reset then finding the right receptcle in the circuit to reset. I probably will use that.
YJ
Are you sure? The Home Depot Wiring book says that one GFCI can control upto receptacles.
YJ
GFCI receptacles can be connected so as to protect the entire circuit "downstream" of the device. This also leaves a single place to go to reset it.
According to Yi Jin :
^3 I assume.
If that's what it says, the HD book is wrong.
There can be some advantages to having a GFCI circuit breaker:
Disadvantages:
Mike
Yi J : I need to install a circuit of 12 outlets/light fixture in the basement. : I understand each GFCI can control 3 downstream outlets (a total of 4). : So use of 3 GFCIs should work for the circuit.
: Are the any advantages using GFCI circuit breakers? Cost difference is : neglegible.
: YJ
I meant 1 GFCI control upto 4 outlets. Sorry.
Maybe that was not a code requirement. But I found at least one additional comments from
YJ
They are saying that one GFCI may control up to 3 or 4 outlets *in homes that they build* -- because they spec them that way. The GFCI doesn't care how many downline outlets there are and the electrical code doesn't care.
I have one GFCI in my basement, right by the panel, that covers all the protected outlets in my basement and outdoors. The freezer outlets are not protected. I have one GFCI in the garage that covers all the outlets in the garage (except the garage door opener outlet). I have separate GFCI's with nothing on the LOAD side in my kitchen and bathroom. Especially the bathroom, because I don't want wet people running naked down to the breaker panel to reset the GFCI when it trips.
-Bob
According to zxcvbob :
How about dry people?
That's not a problem; hopefully they won't drip on the kitchen floor. ;-)
-Bob
For someone with an email addy ending in .edu you sure are stupid.
Only unfinished basement space needs GFCI protection.
You can use one GFI outlet to protect all downstream from it.
If this is finished space you don't need the protection at all. You mentioned putting lites on this circuit as well. I assume you won't be powering your lites via GFI protected circuit?
OK. I didn't know that. Thanks for the information.
From Home Depot Wiring 1-2-3, p.27: "A single GFCI can protect up to four receptacles, switches and lights on the same circuit. ... "
Maybe the GFCI outlet is the most effective, and decreasing in effectiveness down the line. By No. 5 on, GFCI is not so effective to protect?
Yes, it will be finished basements. But floor will be ceremic tiles. So it will be wet after being mopped. So maybe GFCI is a good idea there, even though it is not code required?
YJ
effectiveness
Not sure where they got this one, it's news to me.
You certainly could GFI the outlets in your finished basement space, if that's what you'd like to do. Code doesn't require you to do so, but go ahead and GFI if you want.
From a Home Depot book, the folks that sell the GFCI units? Of course they will say there is a limit on them, cause they will sell more that way.
A GFCI unit is rated for either 15 or 20 amps, on the downstream load line (check the unit), and you can put as many outlets on a circuit.
In my basement shop area, being unfinished I use GFCI, one per circuit, which then drives several quad outlet boxes, probably a dozen outlets per circuit.
No problems, or false trips.
Ah. I had thought having naked people run through the house was an _advantage_, but I now see your point about wet ones.
;-)
HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.