In order to detect current leakage (the GFCI's main purpose), the neutral wire of the protected outlets need to feed back through the GFCI. Wiring GFCI Receptacles with a Protected Outlet. The switch is a timer and on/off device. In this wiring, the gfci protects a standard duplex receptacle connected to the LOAD terminals on the combo. An option is to send both black and white to the light, and create a traditional switch leg. Should I use the pigtail method and have multiple GFCI outlets or some other method. The GFCI outlet protects electrical wiring and receptacles from overheating and possible fire, greatly minimizing the risk of shock injuries and fatal burns. This gfci wiring provides protection to a duplex receptacle outlet at the end of the series. The built-in switch controls an unprotected light fixture on a separate electrical source. Wiring a GFCI Outlet with a Light Switch and Protected Receptacle. Notice, GFCI protection is only required for receptacles. Press Reset again, and your device should turn on again. A current leak at any one of the outlets will trip the GFCI and cause all of the outlets connected to it to go dead. The outlets protected by the GFCI should also be in parallel. Either way would make light circuit protected by GFCI. Leviton GFI Protection,Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter,Panel Mount,Auto Reset,20A,120V A ground fault circuit interrupter, often referred to as a GFCI or GFI, is an outlet that has been equipped with a built-in circuit breaker. If the light doesn't turn off when you press Test, you have a problem. So while the light switch doesn't have to be GFCI protected, it does have to be AFCI protected. If so, the outlet is working as it should. GFCI protection can be provided either at the outlet by the now familiar outlet with the test and reset buttons, or at the distribution panel by way of a GFCI circuit breaker, which protects all outlets on the circuit it controls. Pro tip: These GFCI-protected outlets are supposed to be … Alternate method is to bypass the GFCI by taking LINE wires off of the GFCI, making a pigtail, and rewire the GFCI, sending new wiring to your lights. A ground fault circuit interrupter is a protective device specifically designed to break the circuit every time there is an imbalance between incoming and outgoing current. Whereas AFCI protection, is required for all outlets in the mentioned areas. Since there will be 5 outlet boxes and a switch to control the timing, I need to be sure how to set the GFCI protection. That means, the load terminal on the GFCI should be wired to the hot terminal on both extra outlets. Thank you for your suggestions. If the GFCI is working, the power will immediately be cut. When a short occurs in one of the outlets or a circuit protected by the outlet, the breaker switch must be reset before the circuit will supply power to a protected outlet. The source to the outlet is connected to the LINE terminals on the gfci. Protected "downstream" receptacle should be labeled if they have GFCI protection. The light and switch are not protected by the gfci receptacle. Then press the Test button.