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enter image description hereI need some help please. I'm replacing a standard receptacle with GFCI but the instructions that came with the GFCI doesn't explain how to make the connections when when there is a 3-wire cable. Even more confusing is this box has 3 cables feeding into it (one 3-wire and two 2-wire). Thanks in advance!

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  • Is the tab or fin between the screws on the hot side of the receptacle still present, or has it been broken off? Also, is this the only receptacle you want to GFCI protect, or are there more receptacles involved?
    – ThreePhaseEel
    Jul 21, 2020 at 0:09
  • The tab is still present.
    – Ethan N
    Jul 21, 2020 at 0:15
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    Is this receptacle the only one you wish to GFCI protect, or are there other receptacles you want to provide GFCI protection to as well?
    – ThreePhaseEel
    Jul 21, 2020 at 0:20
  • There is another receptacle in the kitchen but it is at the very end so it only had one 2-wire cable feeding into it and I was able to replace that with GFCI. In case it's helpful, the switch you see in the photos controls my garbage disposal.
    – Ethan N
    Jul 21, 2020 at 0:25
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    @EdBeal I’m looking right at it. It’s not split.
    – Harper - Reinstate Monica
    Jul 21, 2020 at 4:53

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Easy peasy. Most GFCI receptacles have a method to attach 2 wires to each LINE screw.

That is exactly what you do. The two black wires go on the brass LINE screw. The 1 white wire goes on the silver LINE screw. And you're done.

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    I did as you suggested and it appeared to work. So I put away my tools and I plugged a cell phone charger into a different GFCI outlet that is located at the end of the line. Shortly after 10 minutes or so, this new GFCI outlet that you showed me how to replace blew. There was a spark, a puff of smoke and the breaker tripped. There was nothing plugged into this new GFCI. What went wrong?
    – Ethan N
    Jul 21, 2020 at 6:00
  • The switch in the picture controls the garbage disposal and is on a 20 amp circuit. The circuit that I'm putting this GFCI onto is a 20 amp circuit as well. I made sure to buy a 20 amp rated GFCI.
    – Ethan N
    Jul 21, 2020 at 15:03
  • I’m sorry that happened, but it doesn’t make any sense for that to happen. The two black wires were tied together previously, as your photo of the “tab” plainly shows. It would really help to see a picture of the GFCI and how the wires were attached; maybe something went wrong there.
    – Harper - Reinstate Monica
    Jul 21, 2020 at 17:36
  • I disconnected the GFCI, but I marked in this photo how I connected the wires to the GFCI. You could see the discoloration where it blew on the white neutral side. The GFCI is ELECTECK 20A GFCI Outlet. I don't know if I am allowed to link to the product page but here it is if it's allowed. amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZRFWJSM/…
    – Ethan N
    Jul 22, 2020 at 0:06
  • photos.app.goo.gl/kRp2foZpNLHopzA77
    – Ethan N
    Jul 22, 2020 at 0:17

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