Identify Which Wire Goes To Line vs Load Terminals | GFCI Outlet

A common question when wiring a GFCI outlet is which wire should go to the Line terminals as compared to the Load terminals when you have multiple sets of wires in the electrical box. This is an easy question to answer and I will walk you through the test I use to identify which wire goes to which terminals.

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[jlongart]

This was incredibly easy to understand. Even for non-electricians like me. Half of the outlets in my art studio have stopped working, and I've been digging for a while now to figure out the issue. I paused and checked, and sure enough, the encased GFCI outlet on the back of the building was tripped and would not reset. So you answered the question for me quickly after a lot of research. I wish I would have found this sooner. I'm not a big fan of working with electrical components but after this vodeo I feel, still cautious, but more comfortable because of your examples on energy control check and confirmation. Great Job ensuring your viewers understand the adequate way to check and confirm energy control. Thank for the amazing video!!!

[Jaakko]

If you own a multimeter you can just ring out neutral and ground with continuity, without dealing with live wires. The set that rings out closed is the line side upstream, and the set that does not ring out and shows open is load side downstream. This is because the line side neutral/ground set will be bonded at your first disconnecting means/main panel. I am an electrical contractor that's typically how I do it, just a quick tip for a different method!

[travelduderino]

Thank you for posting this! I had a GFCI outlet buzz out and die a few years ago and decided to fix it. Watched your video and bought the tools and found out that they installed the line and load blacks on the same line screw, line and load whites on the same line screw. Followed the steps and (had to use the main breaker because none of the other breakers turned off the power) successfully replaced it thanks to you.

[BradThePitts]

THANKS - I knew that there was a line in and line out... but what I didn't realize until watching this video is that the line in and line out on my GFCI replacement were reversed! The markings on the back of the new receptacle were very hard to read. With the ground plug in the bottom position like in your video, my line wires were on the bottom, but the line on the new receptacle was on the top. Drove me nuts!!!

[EmJhay-bw]

Out of all of the YouTube videos I’ve watched trying to figure out how to install a gfci outlet I finally understand how to install one Thanks Scott!

[CulichorHimself]

I love the simplicity of this channel and no BS with pull a permit if you need to replace a light bulb and have it inspected, not that is wrong but asking to do something you don't is simple BS, Thank you for your simplicity and I'm SUBSCRIBED NOW

[BeADad]

I just replaced my SWITCH AND CROSSED THE WIRES! THANK YOU, I FIXED IT! GREAT VIDEO!

[MrJasonwoodrow]

As a homeowner, the most annoying part of GFCI circuits is when the electrician installs the upstream control in an unexpected and out of the way location. One electrician installed the bathroom GFCI outlet in the crawlspace under our new house! I made him come back and put it in the bathroom.

[thiswasts]

Great explanation without the manic delivery, appreciate you !

[epluribusunum]

L(IN)E IN, L(O)AD OUT
that's something that has helped me remember

[BeckVMH]

Thanks for lining up those faceplate screws so they’re vertical. Nice touch.

[peanutbutter]

Thanks for the information that GFCI outlet protects ungrounded lines. My old house has grounded and ungrounded lines mixed so I’ve been wondering if I had to replace all the old wires.

[evabarns]

I would love to see better how the finished set of wires look on the new GF I switch.
It was covered a little too fast. Great video.

[Rexag]

Yes...Thank You.... I was changing out old GFI for new. I was being very careful because I was aware of load and line. It didn't work. WHY? WTF Now? well, the engineers that be decided to shake it up a bit...and switch the locations of line and load....I didn't have a sticker on the load. So, you helped sort that out. I swear...nothing can ever be done right the first time for me. Always a learning cliff.

[carljorgensen]

Load and line I noticed on the Gfci it printing on the backside, Great information thank you now just to remember it..

[KBear]

Thank you!! I disconnected mine before identifying which wire went where...with your help, I figured it out!! Thanks again!

[BravoActual]

Thank you, I have learned more in 5 mins than 5 hours of scratching my head.

[jamescc]

Exactly what I am looking for. Other vids did not show how to identify with meter. Thx

[budgetaudiophilelife-long]

👍THANKS SCOTT … just a suggestion for new DIYers …I usually test it and the circuit downstream before buttoning everything up 🤔🤗😍😍😍

[jetsfromnewjersey]

FINALLY AFTER 20 video i got the best video exactly what i was looking for