0

In the middle of a bathroom remodel and I have the walls gutted. I'm considering installing an outlet on the far side of the bathroom which will be near a toilet.

There's an existing GFCI outlet near the sink area. I'd like to run a line from the load of that GFCI to the new outlet.

Do I need to have a second GFCI because it'll be within a couple feet of the toilet? Or is just being on the load acceptable?

Improve this question
7
  • 5
    If you're connecting to the load side of the existing GFCI, then your new outlet will be protected by the old GFCI. You don't need to install a new GFCI outlet there.
    – brhans
    Nov 3, 2016 at 12:35
  • I guess I have a follow up question then. I just noticed both loads on the GFCI are full. One runs to a switch for the bathroom lights, and one for the lights in my living room on the other side of the wall for some reason. I can get to all of the wiring. Can I branch off with a jbox from the living room load?
    – Residualfail
    Nov 3, 2016 at 13:38
  • It's odd that your lights are being GFCI protected (not really a problem - just odd). Could you move one or both of those to the Line side of the GFCI to free up a Load connection?
    – brhans
    Nov 3, 2016 at 13:41
  • 2
    If you're in the US, the circuit supplying the GFCI receptacle in the bathroom, should be 20 amperes and not supply anything outside of the bathroom. If you want GFCI protection, simply connect the required branches to the LOAD side of the GFCI. If you have too many branches, you can use pigtails (you should use pigtails for anything more than a single branch, in my opinion). Lastly, it sounds like the box might be beyond the box fill limit.
    – Tester101
    Nov 3, 2016 at 15:21
  • 1
    Ok, I'll revisit the additional outlet later after I've had a chance to reroute the living room circuit. I had a feeling...ty both for your feedback.
    – Residualfail
    Nov 3, 2016 at 16:03

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
2

GFCIs are actually designed to do this sort of thing. That's what the LOAD part of your GFCI is for. When anything happens on that side, that would trip it if it were a GFCI, the GFCI triggers. So any outlets on that side of the circuit are considered to be GFCI protected.

I would highly recommend you buy a circuit tester that has a GFCI trip switch

Pressing the button feeds the hot through the ground, which should trip the GFCI.

Improve this answer
1
  • When a ground fault occurs on the load side, the GFCI triggers. GFCI are not overcurrent protection devices.
    – Dan D.
    Nov 4, 2016 at 2:48

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.