Gary,
I'm confused. I "converted" a GFCI protected circuit in my garage to "dedicated" for a fridge by replacing the GFCI receptacle with a single outlet for the fridge. Being under the (mistaken?) impression that code requred a dedicated circuit, I did not reconnect the wiring to the "downstream" outlets, leaving them cold. Was this unnecessary? Generally speaking, can I put a GFCI outlet in the next downstream position, thereby protecting the standard duplex outlets down the line? This is a 20A circuit with a standard breaker, by the way. In other words, coming from the breaker:
1st: dedicated single receptacle for fridge
2nd: GFCI outlet
3rd and beyond: standard duplex outlets.
Is this valid?
Thanks, Tom
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Tom,
You were doing pretty good. You just gave up too soon. Hope you still have the GFCI receptacle you removed.
ASIDE: I know of no requirement in the NEC that requires a dedicated circuit for residential refrigerators. However, good kitchen wiring design AND common sense dictates giving the main frig in the kitchen a separate circuit. This allows the counter top appliances be operated without concern that the frig will operate, and trip the breaker that was running the coffee pot and the microwave already. We have been wiring the frig on a dedicated
120-volt, 20-amp circuit for 30 years now.
I can assure you that you don't need to sacrifice the balance of your garage circuit for "code" reasons. The other outlets in the garage are likely occasional use and not high demand appliances. If these were high demand, then THEY may need the dedicated circuit. ;-)) Therefore, restoring the balance of the GFI protected circuit is a good idea. I assume you know how to pass the current from the junction box where you removed the GFCI receptacle and installed the single receptacle to the next junction box. By doing that you now have power to the second location.
At this second location, identify the black and white wires that are in the incoming power cable and connect these to the "line" terminals of the GFCI receptacle. Connect the black and white wires from the cable going FROM this second location to the third location to the appropriate "load" terminals on the GFCI receptacle. This will now pass GFCI protected power to the balance of the circuit. All these remaining outlets can be standard duplex outlets, or single outlets, or switches feeding lights, or whatever. Then, VERIFY that when the GFCI receptacle is tested, the power stops and NO other receptacles in the garage operate except the dedicated single receptacle for the frig. Be especially careful to test the GFCI receptacle too. If you miswire it, it will still "trip", and it will shut off power to the balance of the circuit; BUT, power will still pass at the GFCI receptacle
Last step is important here. (Do be SURE it's the LAST step though) Open your new frig and reach in for the cold frosty beverage that tastes so good when this hot job is done!
Gary Kasten