ARMSTRONG 57958 Testing a GFCI Receptacle Harbor Freight Tools Instruction Manual
- June 6, 2024
- ARMSTRONG
Table of Contents
Installing and Testing a GFCI
Receptacle
Please read this leaflet completely before getting started.
CAUTION
- To prevent severe shock or electrocution always turn the power OFF at the service panel before working with wiring.
- Use this GFCI receptacle with copper or copper-clad wire. Do not use it with aluminum wire.
- Do not install this GFCI receptacle on a circuit that powers life support equipment because if the GFCI trips it will shut down the equipment.
- For installation in damp or wet locations, the GFCI receptacle must be listed and marked as Weather Resistant (WR).
- For installation in wet locations, protect the GFCI receptacle with a cover plate or outlet box hood suitable for wet locations that will keep both the receptacle and plug face dry.
- Must be installed in accordance with national and local electrical codes.
What is a GFCI?
A GFCI receptacle is different from conventional receptacles. In the event of a ground fault, a GFCI will trip and quickly stop the flow of electricity to prevent serious injury.
Definition of a ground fault:
Instead of following its normal safe path, electricity passes through a
person’s body to reach the ground. For example, a defective appliance can
cause a ground fault. A GFCI receptacle does not protect against circuit
overloads, short circuits, or shocks. For example, you can still be shocked if
you touch bare wires while standing on a non-conducting surface, such as a
wood floor.
The GFCI’s features
FRONT VIEW
**BACK VIEW
** Should you install it?
Installing a GFCI receptacle can be more complicated than installing a conventional receptacle.
Make sure that you:
- Understand basic wiring principles and techniques
- Can interpret wiring diagrams
- Have circuit wiring experience
- Are prepared to take a few minutes to test your work, making sure that you have wired the GFCI receptacle correctly
LINE vs. LOAD
A cable consists of 2 or 3 wires.
LINE cable:
Delivers power from the service panel (breaker panel or fuse box) to the GFCI.
If there is only one cable entering the electrical box, it is the LINE cable.
This cable should be connected to the GFCI’s LINE terminals only.
LOAD cable:
Delivers power from the GFCI to another receptacle in the circuit. This cable
should be connected to the GFCI’s LOAD terminals only.
Turn the power OFF
Plug an electrical device, such as a lamp or radio, into the receptacle on
which you are working. Turn the lamp or radio on. Then, go to the service
panel. Find the breaker or fuse that protects that receptacle. Place the
breaker in the OFF position or completely remove the fuse. The lamp or radio
should turn OFF.
Next, plug in and turn ON the lamp or radio at the receptacle’s other outlet
to make sure the power is OFF at both outlets. If the power is not OFF, stop
work and call an electrician to complete the installation.
Identify cables/wires
Important:
DO not install the GFCI receptacle in an electrical box containing (a) more
than 4 wires (not including the grounding wires) or (b) cables with more than
two wires (not including the grounding wire). Contact a qualified electrician
if either (a) or (b) is true.
If you are replacing an old receptacle, pull it out of the electrical box
without disconnecting the wires.
- If you see one cable (2-3 wires), it is the LINE cable. The receptacle is probably in position C (see diagram to the right). Remove the receptacle and go to step 7A.
- If you see two cables (4-6 wires), the receptacle is probably in position A or B (see diagram to the right). Follow steps a-e of the procedure to the right.
Procedure: box with two cables (4-6 wires)
(a) Detach one cable’s white and hot wires from the receptacle and cap each
one separately with a wire connector. Make sure that they are from the same
cable.
(b) Re-install the receptacle in the electrical box, attach the faceplate,
then turn the power ON at the service panel.
(c) Determine if power is flowing to the receptacle. If so the capped wires
are the LOAD wires. If not the capped wires are the LINE wires.
(d) Turn the power OFF at the service panel, label the LINE and LOAD wires,
then remove the receptacle.
(e) Go to step 7B.
Placement in circuit:
The GFCI’s place in the circuit determines if it protects other receptacles in
the circuit.
Sample circuit:
Placing the GFCI in position A will also provide protection to “load side”
receptacles B and C. On the other hand, placing the GFCI in position C will
not provide protection to receptacles A or B. Remember that receptacles A, B
and C can be in different rooms.
Connect the wires (choose A or B)… only after reading other side
completely
A: One cable (2 or 3 wires) entering the box
About wire connections:
Screw Terminal
| Back Wire Holes
---|---
Side Wire
Clockwise, 2/3 of the way around screw. Wire binding screw terminal tightening
torque – 14 lb-in.
Connect the LINE cable wires to the LINE terminals:
- The white wire connects to the White terminal (Silver)
- The black wire connects to the Hot terminal (Brass)
Connect the grounding wire (only if there is a grounding wire):
- For a box with no grounding terminal: (diagram not shown) Connect the LINE cable’s bare copper (or green) wire directly to the grounding terminal on the GFCI receptacle.
- For a box with a grounding terminal: (diagram shown above) Connect a 6-inch bare copper (or green) 12 or 14 AWG wire to the grounding terminal (green) on the GFCI. Also connect a similar wire to the grounding terminal on the box. Connect the ends of these wires to the LINE cable’s bare copper (or green) wire using a wire connector. If these wires are already in place, check the connections.
Complete the installation:
- Fold the wires into the box, keeping the grounding wire away from the White and Hot terminals. Screw the receptacle to the box and attach the faceplate.
- Go to step 8
OR
B: Two cables (4 or 6 wires) entering the box
About wire connections:
Screw Terminal
| Back Wire Holes
---|---
Side Wire
Clockwise, 2/3 of the way around screw. Wire binding screw terminal tightening
torque – 14 lb-in.
Connect the LOAD cable wires to the LOAD terminals:
- The white wire connects to the White terminal (Silver)
- The black wire connects to the Hot terminal (Brass)
Connect the grounding wires as shown above (only if there is a grounding wire):
- Connect a 6-inch bare copper (or green) 12 or 14 AWG wire to the grounding terminal (green) on the GFCI. If the box has a grounding terminal, also connect a similar wire to the grounding terminal on the box. Connect the ends of these wires to the LINE and LOAD cable’s bare copper (or green) wire using a wire connector. If these wires are already in place, check the connections.
Complete the installation:
- Fold the wires into the box, keeping the grounding wire away from the White and Hot terminals. Screw the receptacle to the box and attach the faceplate.
- Go to step 8.
Test your work
Why perform this test?
- If you miswired the GFCI, it may not prevent personal injury or death due to a ground fault (electrical shock).
- If you mistakenly connect the line wires to the Load terminals, the GFCI will provide no power.
Procedure:
(a) Turn the power ON at the service panel. Press the RESET button fully. The
RESET button should stay in. The LED load side voltage indicator will
illuminate green in color. If the RESET button does not stay in, go to
Troubleshooting. If the RESET button stays in, plug a lamp or radio into the
GFCI (and leave it plugged in) to verify that the power is ON. If there is no
power, go to Troubleshooting.
(b) Press the TEST button in order to trip the device. This should stop the
flow of electricity, making the radio or lamp shut OFF. The Green LED load
side voltage indicator will turn OFF. Note that the RESET button will pop-out.
If the power stays ON, go to Troubleshooting. If the power goes OFF, you have
installed the GFCI receptacle correctly. To restore power, press the RESET
button.
(c) If you installed your GFCI using step 7B, plug a lamp or radio into
surrounding receptacles to see which one(s), in addition to the GFCI, lost
power when you pressed the TEST button. Do Not plug life saving devices into
any of the receptacles that lost power. Place a “GFCI PROTECTED OUTLET”
sticker on every receptacle that lost power. Then press the RESET button to
reset the GFCI.
(d) Press the TEST button(then RESET button)every month to assure proper
operation. If the GFCI can not be reset, then it must be replaced.
(e) This is an auto-monitoring GFCI receptacle. It conducts an automatic test
every 5 seconds, ensuring it is always ready to provide protection. The GFCI
receptacle has reached its end of life when the GFCI:
- repeatedly trips when RESET is attempted
- does not permit power to the load with an audible “clicking” sound or
- denial of power to the load (trip with the inability to RESET).
TROUBLESHOOTING
Turn the power OFF and check the wire connections against the appropriate wiring diagram in step 7A or 7B. Make sure that there are no loose wires or loose connections. Also, it is possible that you reversed the LINE and LOAD connections. LINE/LOAD reversal will be indicated by power remaining OFF at the GFCI Face and by the Reset Button not staying in. Reverse the LINE and LOAD connections if necessary. Start the test from the beginning of step 8 if you rewired any connections to the GFCI.
General Information
GFCI Receptacle Rating: 125VAC, 15A
Contact: Harbor Freight Tools, 26541 Agoura Road, Calabasas, CA ITEM 57958 UPC
193175428455.
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Harbor Freight Tools Co. makes every effort to assure that its products meet
high quality and durability standards, and warrants to the original purchaser
that this product is free from defects in materials and workmanship for the
period of 90 days from the date of purchase. This warranty does not apply to
damage due directly or indirectly, to misuse, abuse, negligence or accidents,
repairs or alterations outside our facilities, criminal activity, improper
installation, normal wear and tear, or to lack of maintenance. We shall in no
event be liable for death, injuries to persons or property, or for incidental,
contingent, special or consequential damages arising from the use of our
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IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS.
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of the complaint must accompany the merchandise. If our inspection verifies
the defect, we will either repair or replace the product at our election or we
may elect to refund the purchase price if we cannot readily and quickly
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