ECN Forum
Posted By: Niko two wire and GFCI - 05/19/07 05:22 AM
The NEC clearly states that a two wire receptacle can be replaced with a GFCI.
I did that, however, when i test the GFCI with a lightbulb load, hot to ground the GFCI does not trip.

I thought it was a bad GFCI, so i replaced and it still did not trip.

What could be going on?

Thanks.
Posted By: stamcon Re: two wire and GFCI - 05/19/07 05:33 AM
There's no "ground" for the current to "leak" to. If you used the test light from the GFCI protected hot, to the ground or grounded conductor of an extension cord, plugged into a grounded receptacle, the GFCI would trip.

steve
Posted By: Tom Re: two wire and GFCI - 05/19/07 01:12 PM
You've got to watch those 2 wire GFI's when they have a metal cover. I stuck a bugeye tester in one and pressed the test button and that energized the faceplate. The GFI passed the trip test as I completed the path to ground because I was touching the faceplate.

Keep in mind that a GFI receptacle is not a cure all for 2 wire replacements. 250-114 has a list of equipment that is required to be grounded and a GFI on a 2 wire circuit doesn't provide the required grounding.
Posted By: Niko Re: two wire and GFCI - 05/19/07 01:46 PM
Thanks for your input.
i realized what the problem of my test was.

Thanks.
© ECN Electrical Forums