Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    ladthebad's Avatar
    ladthebad Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Mar 14, 2012, 10:53 PM
    Outside GFCI
    I want to put an outside GFCI and was wondering if I could pull power from the switch. The switch has three light switches. It is 14-2 wiring and I checked that there is power coming in and three blacks are wire nutted together leading to the individual switches. Can I pigtail off those and run down the wall to my GFCI I plan on installing? Also, I do have the white neutral wires that are all wire nutted together.
    donf's Avatar
    donf Posts: 5,679, Reputation: 582
    Printers & Electronics Expert
    		  
    #2

    Mar 15, 2012, 06:32 AM
    No.


    Switches only interrupt the hot or ungrounded conductor. To install a receptacle,you must have both the Neutral and Hot conductors as well as a ground conductor.
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #3

    Mar 15, 2012, 07:07 AM
    Don, isn't the OP saying he does have a neutral? " I do have the white neutral wires that are all wire nutted together."
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
    Uber Member
    		  
    #4

    Mar 15, 2012, 11:55 AM
    I do not see any problem with your plan:

    Quote Originally Posted by ladthebad View Post
    I want to put an outside GFCI and was wondering if I could pull power from the switch. The switch has three light switches.

    It is 14-2 wiring and I checked that there is power coming in and three blacks are wire nutted together leading to the individual switches.

    Can I pigtail off those and run down the wall to my GFCI I plan on installing?

    Also, I do have the white neutral wires that are all wire nutted together.
    Providing these splices are delivering 120 volts, unswitched, with a neutral, which appears is what you have.

    Be aware of what is currently on the circuit your tapping into, and the load that will be applied. The exterior GFI receptacle can be used for power tools, xmas lights, etc. up to a certain point. Without knowing the existing load, unable to advise what the maximum load on the new outlet could be without tripping the circuit breaker, which should be 15 amp, based on the #14 wire.
    donf's Avatar
    donf Posts: 5,679, Reputation: 582
    Printers & Electronics Expert
    		  
    #5

    Mar 15, 2012, 03:33 PM
    Bob,

    The OP says nothing about Neutral wires.

    "The switch has three light switches. It is 14-2 wiring and I checked that there is power coming in and three blacks are wire nutted together leading to the individual switches"
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
    		  
    #6

    Mar 15, 2012, 04:05 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by ladthebad View Post
    Also, I do have the white neutral wires that are all wire nutted together.
    Time to see the optometrist Don.
    donf's Avatar
    donf Posts: 5,679, Reputation: 582
    Printers & Electronics Expert
    		  
    #7

    Mar 16, 2012, 06:13 AM
    Bob,

    Or at the very least, it might be wise for me to read the entire post! Where oh wherearemy glasses?
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #8

    Mar 16, 2012, 12:49 PM
    So does anyone know where Don and mine posts went?
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
    Uber Member
    		  
    #9

    Mar 16, 2012, 01:59 PM
    Yep, did a cleanup that cluttered the thread.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Gfci wiring and bathroom switch controlling the power on and off to gfci plug. [ 3 Answers ]

I got a concern caused by my brother in law, I have had to perform a bathroom reno and needed to upgrade the wall switches and install a gfci plug, well all wiring was OK till after the drywall went up and now, no power to vanity light(power is on wire as it goes through attic, nothing comes up at...

Can I use a 50 amp GFCI breaker to install a pool pump that calls for 20 amp GFCI? [ 5 Answers ]

I am replacing my old pool pump with a variable speed pump that calls for a dedicated 20 amp, 2 pole GFCI breaker, but I have not found an outdoor box with a 20 amp GFCI. The power from the mail panel is coming from a 30 amp breaker and I want to split this line with a GFCI dedicated for the pump....

Can I put outside gfci, and laundry gfci outlets together on ciruit? [ 5 Answers ]

Hi, I am in the process of redoing my basement, adding a bathroom and laundry room. I would like to have one gfci protected outlet in the bathroom, one in the laundry room, and also add one outside (through the bathroom wall), I also would like a light in the shower stall which will need to be...

30amp GFCI to 50amp GFCI [ 1 Answers ]

I have a square D panel box with 200 amp service coming into the house. I have a square D 30 amp double pole gfci breaker that was put in last year for a hot tub. I am now getting a new hot tub, and it requires a 50amp gfci breaker. The 30amp currently in place says type/tipo HOM. It is...

When adding a GFCI disconnect for hottub, should I replace GFCI in service panel? [ 4 Answers ]

I have a hottub now but without a disconnect. Its simply a 6/3-50 amp wire that runs from the hottub to a 50amp GFCI inside the house main service panel. I want to install a disconnect 5-10 feet from the hottub. I bought a disconnect box that already has a GFCI inside of it. Should I have bought...

View more questions Search