GFCI question

[Uturn]

I am in the process of buying a 1976 house that has no GFCI. Is there a spec on where in the leg the GFCI outlet needs to go?  First outlet, last outlet, or doesn't matter?  I would assume it really doesn't matter since if it trips it will open the circuit.

[APowers]

Always GFCI at the first outlet in the circuit.

https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/123733/if-i-install-a-gfci-on-the-first-outlet-in-a-circuit-will-the-other-receptacles#:~:text=Yes%2C%20you%20can%20use%20the,side%20of%20the%20GFCI%20outlet.&text=Yep%2C%20that's%20how%20it%20works,on%20the%20normal%20looking%20outlets.

[ChickenStash]

Always GFCI at the first outlet in the circuit.

https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/123733/if-i-install-a-gfci-on-the-first-outlet-in-a-circuit-will-the-other-receptacles#:~:text=Yes%2C%20you%20can%20use%20the,side%20of%20the%20GFCI%20outlet.&text=Yep%2C%20that's%20how%20it%20works,on%20the%20normal%20looking%20outlets.

+1

The outlet will only protect the circuit wired on the load side so it needs to be first in whatever string of outlets you are trying to protect.

[BudgetSlasher]

Always GFCI at the first outlet in the circuit.

https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/123733/if-i-install-a-gfci-on-the-first-outlet-in-a-circuit-will-the-other-receptacles#:~:text=Yes%2C%20you%20can%20use%20the,side%20of%20the%20GFCI%20outlet.&text=Yep%2C%20that's%20how%20it%20works,on%20the%20normal%20looking%20outlets.

That oversimplifies it a bit.

Not all outlets on a circuit might need GFCI protection. And a 1970s house might also have lights in addition to outlets on the same circuit.

Basically all kitchens, garages, out building, wet areas, within 6 feet of sinks/showers/tubs require a GFCI. (I might be forgetting one or two and it changes every couple years).

If you are going to upgrade outlets, do not forget about arc fault (AFCI). It seems like they want those pretty much everywhere inside the house that is living space. Note, some motors can trip AFCI.

There are also GFCI, AFCI, and combination breakers that could be used, especially if you want everything on the circuit protected and you do not know the order or layout of the circuit.

I believe 1971 was when code required 3-prong grounded outlets, which has additional considerations if you want to put them in, but do not have a ground wire.

[Ripple4]

I would add that putting a GFCI as the first outlet and wiring downstream outlets to the protected outputs of the receptacle could create a situation where nuisance trips of the GFCI will shut off an entire branch circuit. that branch circuit could be powering something important that maybe you don't want to trip-out when you run the vacuum cleaner etc. Granted, 20 years ago GFCI receptacles were very expensive, and it may have made sense to use one GFCI receptacle protect many locations. now with lower cost receptacles, I think it should at least be considered to only use the GFCI receptacle where its needed and have downstream outlets on the unprotected output, adding the GFCI only where required by sinks etc.

[phildonnia]

I am in the process of buying a 1976 house that has no GFCI. Is there a spec on where in the leg the GFCI outlet needs to go?  First outlet, last outlet, or doesn't matter?  I would assume it really doesn't matter since if it trips it will open the circuit.

If wired correctly, the outlet will protect all the outlets "downstream".  So, it is recommended to put it at the outlet closest to the service panel, to protect as many other outlets on the branch as possible. 

That said, it's not against any code to put it elsewhere; it just won't protect the other outlets on one side.  After installation, press the "Test" button, and make sure that the other outlets on the branch are also disabled.  If there are any that remain live, then they don't earn the blue sticker.

Make sure you put the correct wires in the correct places.  Connect the "line" wires first, and test the outlet by itself to make sure it has power.  Only then remove the yellow tape and connect the rest.

[lthenderson]

Although I highly recommend changing any non GFCI outlet within six feet of a water source to GFCI, you do know that you are grandfathered in and don't have to change them unless you are doing new construction or electrical remodeling? I have many outlets in my garage (1973 house) for example that aren't GFCI and I have no plans to change them as they are four feet in the air and I frequently use power tools that draw a lot of amps. In the past, I have many nuisance tripping with the same tools but newer GFCI's are supposedly a lot better at preventing those.

[joenorm]

  I would assume it really doesn't matter since if it trips it will open the circuit.

This is false. It does not open the circuit, it opens the GFCI receptacle and anything downstream as others have pointed out.