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I was trying to install a GFCI outlet and when I install it with the five wire setup with the line on top and load on bottom, the outlet continually trips. I made sure which wire was the hot-line and confirmed it by successfully wiring the GFCI with only the line wires in a three wire setup. I connected the load wires again and it tripped again? I even tried a second GFCI!

Ideas? The outlet works fine when a standard outlet is there, so it's got to be something simple.

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  • What is "five wire setup"? MWBC with separate neutrals?
    – Jay Bazuzi
    Commented Feb 26, 2013 at 9:08
  • @Jay, I'm assuming he has hot and neutral in the GFI , source and load with the bare grounds tied together on ground lug of the GFI. Is that correct StingeyB?
    – shirlock homes
    Commented Feb 26, 2013 at 9:43
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    The setup works fine when a standard receptacle is used, because a standard receptacle doesn't care about wiring faults. A standard receptacle is a simple contact device, it doesn't care where wires are connected. A circuit protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter must be wired correctly, or the GFCI will trip as soon as the power is turned on.
    – Tester101
    Commented Feb 26, 2013 at 13:33

2 Answers 2

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It sure sounds like you have a ground fault on one of the down stream outlets or devices. Check the load side devices for proper wiring etc. Hook the circuit up without the GFCI and use a plug in tester to determine if any devices have reversed hot, open neutral, etc. Also check to see if there are any motor loads on the load side circuits, motors can cause nuisance tripping.

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  • Got it, I'll try this when I get home tonight. I've got a GFCI downstream. I knew stackexchange would be the right resource but you guys were great! Thanks!
    – StingeyB
    Commented Feb 26, 2013 at 17:24
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In addition to Shirlock Homes excellent answer, you should also check down stream of the circuit load if there exist any GFCI outlets ahead of this. I have a GFCI outlet on the Load of another GFCI outlet then they can cause each other to trip. If this is the case, you can simply replace the downstream GFCI outlet with a standard outlet as it will already be GFCI protected anyway.

Again things to check:

  1. Short or ground fault down the circuit

  2. Reversed polarity on receptacles downstream

  3. GFCI outlets down the circuit.

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  • Thanks for the help, I'll check all the outlets downstream. Really appreciate the advice.
    – StingeyB
    Commented Feb 26, 2013 at 17:24
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    Good addition maple.
    – shirlock homes
    Commented Feb 26, 2013 at 19:31

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