GFCI outlets can make your premises safer. They can protect the loads which are connected to the circuit.
To utilize the GFCI outlets, it is essential to understand how to incorporate them into the circuit.
When planning your circuit, you will have one of the primary questions: how many GFCI outlets on one circuit?
I will today answer this question. Not only that, I will back it up with various reasons. Once you go through my explanation below, it will become easier for you to plan the GFCI outlets’ location.
How many gfci outlets on one circuit?
You can install only one GFCI outlet in one circuit. It does not make any sense to install multiple GFCI outlets in a single circuit.
The question which pops out then is, what should you do if you want to connect numerous loads?
How to power numerous loads when there is only one GFCI outlet on the circuit?
The answer to that is by connecting the other outlets in the series. Once you do so, the other outlets will work as a load.
Since there is at least one GFCI outlet in the circuit, you will get the same level of protection as connecting the GFCI outlet to every load separately.
The only requirement for this is to connect the other outlets in series.
I will now help you understand why you shouldn’t connect more than one GFCI outlet to one circuit.
Why it makes sense to install one gfci outlet in one circuit?
There are numerous reasons to install one GFCI outlet in one circuit.
1. Affordable:
The number 1 reason it makes sense to install only one GFCI outlet in one circuit is affordability.
You can get the same level of safety even when you install a single GFCI outlet in one circuit.
Installing one or two GFCI outlets might not be expensive. However, when you do this at scale, you will have to end up spending a lot of money.
That is why it is good to get proper protection by installing one GFCI outlet in one circuit.
2. Complete protection:
When you install a single GFCI outlet in one circuit, you get an adequate level of protection.
Even if you are connecting multiple loads to that circuit, and if there is any leakage current, in one of the loads, it will trip the circuit. It means that electrocution will not occur.
Simultaneously, it will protect the loads as well.
It means that by installing a single GFCI outlet, you get complete protection.
You will get the same level of protection because the outlets will be installed in series. In the series configuration, whenever there is a problem with a single component of the circuit, it impacts the entire circuit. That is why any leakage current will trip the GFCI outlet as well.
If you have studied GFCI outlets closely, you will realize that is the primary function of the GFCI outlet. That is why it provides complete protection.
3. Easy installation:
Installing the GFCI outlet for seasoned experts is no big deal. However, it is certainly a difficult task for people who are installing the GFCI outlet for the first time.
It is more complicated as compared to installing a simple outlet. That is why you can easily install the entire circuit by going with a single GFCI outlet in one circuit. You will not have to hire a professional. Doing so will undoubtedly make it easy for you to set up the entire circuit.
4. Easy to troubleshoot:
What will happen when the circuit breaks down?
If you have a single GFCI outlet, it is easy for you to troubleshoot the circuit. In that case, you will not have to make a lot of effort to do so. In many cases, if you have some experience in handling Electric circuits, you will not have to call a professional.
Calling a professional is expensive and also time-consuming.
On the other hand, when installing a single GFCI outlet, troubleshooting the circuit is easy. You can find the fault quickly. You can easily discover whether the fault is with the GFCI outlet or whether the fault is with the load or wires.
Once you shortlist the problem, it is easy for you to fix it.
It means that a single GFCI outlet in the circuit can undoubtedly make your life easier.
5. No added benefit of installing multiple outlets:
Once you go through all these reasons, you cannot help but wonder, what is the reason to install numerous GFCI outlets in a single circuit?
You do not get any added protection.
Also, no matter how many loads you connect, all of them will get GFCI protection. It means that if there is a problem with any of the loads, wires, or outlets, the circuit will trip itself.
When that happens, you can diagnose the problem easily since there is only a single GFCI outlet.
Diagnosing the problem easily can save you a lot of time and money.
Once you look at all of these aspects, it is easy to understand that there is no added benefit in installing multiple GFCI outlets.
When you install multiple GFCI outlets, you are just going to make the circuit more cumbersome and difficult to manage.
Over a while, the circuit can start developing problems. It can happen after 10 years as well.
When that happens, the issue you will face is that there are too many components in the circuit. That is why shortlisting the problem will be difficult.
You might even have to hire an expert to do so.
On the other hand, when you have a single GFCI outlet, you can pinpoint the problem within an hour or so.
After that, you can rectify the problem, and the circuit will start working once again.
With no added advantage of installing multiple GFCI outlets in a single circuit, it makes perfect sense to go with a single GFCI outlet.
So, you can install one GFCI outlet in one circuit. Doing so will provide you with the level of protection which you require.
I often cover such electrical topics and even accessories which you can buy for your premises. You can go through my post on outdoor light with GFCI outlet (here), or best outdoor solar chandelier (here) or farm lights (here) to buy such accessories.