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    Ikidunot's Avatar
    Ikidunot Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jun 1, 2007, 10:09 AM
    Existing Wiring/Installing a GFI - 12/3
    I have searched the net high and low and finally came to this site which has provided me with some interesting and informative reading. I have searched and come close to but not quite getting the answer to my question.

    Here it is.

    I have 12/3 wiring in my Kitchen(with split plugs throughout). I have in my possession a 2 pole GFI. How does this work with only the 3 wires in the box? I have installed one with 12/2 wiring in the past. My problem in this case is I know what to do with the white wire, but how do I hook up the Black and Red? I can't look into the walls as we aren't doing a reno, just this GFI next to the sink. Which direction the power flows is beyond my skill. I am trying to avoid the huge expense of the GFCI Breakers in the main box if at all possible.

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    Brent
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #2

    Jun 1, 2007, 10:27 AM
    What you are going to have to do is cap one wire. Gfi Circuits need own neutral, in and out.
    You can cap one wire and install GFI for each.
    In Kitchens you can only have 2 recpticles per circuit.
    Example: you have 4 recpticles on kitchen counter, 2 GFI's and 2 recpticles will work.
    If 1 of your boxes has red, white, black in, and another red. White, black out.
    Cap 2 reds or 2 blacks, determine Line and connect GFI like usual.

    A GFI breaker will not help the split circuits, needs second neutral.

    May be necessary to install gfi at each, with 1 wire capped.
    Ikidunot's Avatar
    Ikidunot Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Jun 1, 2007, 11:44 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Stratmando
    What you are going to have to do is cap one wire. Gfi Circuits need own neutral, in and out.
    You can cap one wire and install GFI for each.
    In Kitchens you can only have 2 recpticles per circuit.
    Example: you have 4 recpticles on kitchen counter, 2 GFI's and 2 recpticles will work.
    If 1 of your boxes has red, white, black in, and another red. white, black out.
    Cap 2 reds or 2 blacks, determine Line and connect GFI like usual.

    A GFI breaker will not help the split circuits, needs second neutral.

    May be necessary to install gfi at each, with 1 wire capped.


    Capped the Black in the box in question, all is working well.

    Thanks for your help.

    B
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #4

    Jun 1, 2007, 11:46 AM
    The fridge does not need GFI. May need to get to that box.
    I see only three wires in box(not counting ground) Cap one(red or black), Install GFI.
    If they were in series, then, red and white in, and red and white out and cap black or you can cap red and have black and white in, and black and white out.
    Remember shoud have 2 recpticles max on kitchen circuits.

    If you have conduit, I would probably push or pull another white in. Then you could use regular recpticle on load side.

    Good luck.
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #5

    Jun 1, 2007, 11:47 AM
    Sorry I was writing while you were posting. Take Care
    ranapratab's Avatar
    ranapratab Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Jul 31, 2010, 06:50 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Ikidunot View Post
    Capped the Black in the box in question, all is working well.

    Thanks for your help.

    B
    Bringing up an old post alive.

    I did the procedure as mentioned above, and all works well. I did replace the receptacle with GFCI besides the sink.

    But the other receptacle in the kitchen states "hot/neu reverse" when I am checking if the installation is OK with the OUtlet tester. Has that something to do with the capped wire? I had not used the tester before so am not confident where it is a new issue or old!

    PLease advice. Thanks
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #7

    Jul 31, 2010, 07:15 AM

    Your white wire goes to the white screw, and the red or black goes to the brass or dark screw.
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