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Ruthe1 · Jul 3, 2009, 03:58 PM

I haven't seen anyone ask this question, I hope it gives you a laugh. The breaker box has one 15A breaker going to single GFCI outlet. This outlet is BEHIND a bogus return vent in the bathroom and the whirlpool tub is PLUGged into it!!

Which would be fine except it was a real @$%@#% to find when the tub stopped working. (The other funny part is, I had no idea about the outlet and I was testing and hunting all over the house! I finally found it.) I had to remove the vent, grope around, and sure enough, there it was, lying on the floor, covered in dust. Yikes! Pressed the reset button though and the tub started working again.

What I'd like is to have the GFCI reset button on MY side of the wall where it would be accessible. I can't just move the outlet since the tub is actually plugged into it. Well, I could and did, but the tub's cord looks ugly and stupid coming through the drywall opening and then plugged into the outlet whose cord is also running through.

Does anyone have any ideas for me? I'd like to do something easy myself. First thought, are there outlets with the plugs on the opposite side of the reset button? I can cut the drywall, put in the outlet and be done. Second thought is to hard wire the tub to the back of the outlet, but I don't know how to do that or even if it could/should be done.

I don't need the plugs accessible, just the reset button. Does my explanation make sense? Now that you've finished laughing, does anyone have any ideas? THANKS very much for your time.

jerro · Jul 3, 2009, 04:26 PM

Since you said you have a dedicated line running to your panel from the gfi you could replace the gfi with a regular recept and install a gfi breaker in your panel, then you would have easy access. The breaker would cost more but it sounds like it would be worth the money after what you went through.

Ruthe1 · Jul 5, 2009, 01:01 PM

Thanks Jerro, for your reply.
Are you saying that I have a choice where the GFCI is? Either at the outlet or at the box?
If so, I'd rather not mess with the box if doing something with the outlet is possible. I'd rather use the box to cut off power to the GFCI outlet while I monkey with it. Is this possible?

jerro · Jul 6, 2009, 06:34 PM

You need to have your outlet accessible. Can you relocate it under the tub?

Ruthe1 · Jul 9, 2009, 07:35 PM

Ah, sigh. That's the problem. It IS under the tub - behind a wall (fake vent in drywall for access). But there's plenty of tub cord and electric cord.
What I've done is remove the vent and pull the tub cord and GFCI box into the room. But it looks ugly and I'd like to just attach it to the wall. The problem is, if I do that, the tub cord will come out of the vent, snake around and plug into the box. Is there such a thing as a GFCI box that has the plug on one side and the reset buttons on the other? I don't need the plugs, just the button on my side of the wall.

Ruthe1 · Jul 9, 2009, 07:37 PM

Oops, I said box above when I probably should have said outlet.

KISS · Jul 9, 2009, 10:05 PM

Well, you do. You generally need a disconnect within the line of sight of the tub. Pulling the plug behind a wall won't cut it. The plug counts as a disconnect.

You can put a GFCI breaker in the breaker panel, but you still have the disconnect issue to deal with.

Right angle plugs can be useful.

Ruthe1 · Jul 11, 2009, 09:37 PM

Hey KISS. :-) Right angle plug? Sounds interesting. Please tell me more. I'd really rather not mess with the main box. Frankly, electricity scares me but I'm a DIYer - when I can.

KISS · Jul 11, 2009, 09:56 PM

I found this which is really cool: Leviton Right Angle GFCI Plug - NEMA 5-20 - Leviton 6593 - LevitonProducts.com

Page 6 has one here that's hospital grade. Nema 5-15P and 5-20P are standard degignations for the pin configurations for 15 and 20 amp 120 V. Hospital grade has clear sections so wiring can be examined. That's probably about $20.

I bought a non-hospital version for about $8.00, 15A recently from a local electrical supply house.

sdho · Jul 12, 2009, 09:41 PM

If you're not willing to work in the panel, you could install a blank-face GFCI in the bathroom and run a replacement standard outlet for the tub off that.

This is the sort of thing you'd want: 8590-W 20 Amp Switch Rated Blank Face GFCI Device - White.

Ruthe1 · Jul 20, 2009, 08:27 PM

Hey you three! Thanks for the suggestions and bearing with me. I've bookmarked those sites. Cool stuff. Now I have 3 options. I saw this post had a lot of views, so I'm guessing you've helped more than just me. Amazing.

Thanks again!