GFCI Installation Question - Garage 15 Amp Circuit
#1
03-04-14, 07:06 AM
GFCI Installation Question - Garage 15 Amp Circuit
I have electrical service in my garage but no outlet is connected to this box.
I opened up the box and there is three thick stranded wires. 1 RED, 1 WHITE, and 1YELLOW, I think they are 10 gauge. The wires are too thick to connect to the outlet. My solution is to pigtail 14 gauge stranded wire, Hot side to the Red and Neutral Side to the White using the line connections of GFCI. The Yellow Cable I left with a nut on it. My circuit breaker for this line is at 15 amps. Is this safe or should I use thicker wires to pigtail? Any other useful info would also be appreciated. Thank you for your help!
I opened up the box and there is three thick stranded wires. 1 RED, 1 WHITE, and 1YELLOW, I think they are 10 gauge. The wires are too thick to connect to the outlet. My solution is to pigtail 14 gauge stranded wire, Hot side to the Red and Neutral Side to the White using the line connections of GFCI. The Yellow Cable I left with a nut on it. My circuit breaker for this line is at 15 amps. Is this safe or should I use thicker wires to pigtail? Any other useful info would also be appreciated. Thank you for your help!
#2
03-04-14, 07:46 AM
Forum Topic Moderator
Even a #10 should fit in the holes on the GFI.
As far as the colors being correct you are going to need to do some investigation. Do you have a conduit system?
As far as the colors being correct you are going to need to do some investigation. Do you have a conduit system?
#3
03-04-14, 07:55 AM
The wires are in the walls, not a conduit system. I did install the GFCI as stated in my paragraph and tested it a ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE TESTER and it said it was wired correctly. I turned off the breaker though to be on the safe side until I find out more info.
#5
03-04-14, 08:08 AM
Forum Topic Moderator
The #14 is not correct unless the fuse or breaker is 15 amps.
You say you have a yellow cable that you left unconnected. Where does that cable go?
How old is the wiring that you do not have a ground?
You say you have a yellow cable that you left unconnected. Where does that cable go?
How old is the wiring that you do not have a ground?
#6
03-04-14, 08:15 AM
The breaker is at 15 amps. I could ground the outlet to the grounding screw on the electrical box. I believe the yellow cable is left for a light switch. The house is from 1940 and the electrical was updated in 2013 for everything but the garage with a new 200 amp panel. I just bought the house last month.
#7
03-04-14, 08:32 AM
Forum Topic Moderator
The box may not be grounded. What is the wiring method to the box? Is there a thin bond strip visible at the end of the cable?
#11
03-04-14, 11:26 AM
The current is at 240 volts total.
#12
03-04-14, 11:35 AM
I opened up the box and there is three thick stranded wires. 1 RED, 1 WHITE, and 1YELLOW, I think they are 10 gauge.
The wires are in the walls, not a conduit system.
The wires are in the walls, not a conduit system.
Originally Posted by Nashkat1
What color and size wire is attached to the breaker?
