How to Wire a GFCI Outlet - What's Line vs Load? - Electrical Wiring 101

This video covers the essentials of installing a GFCI Outlet (or GFCI receptacle), including line vs load terminals, wiring basics, why back wiring is OK and much more!
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Disclaimer:
Top Homeowner produces videos for informational, educational, & entertainment purposes only. Information here is not to be viewed as advice but as an opinion. Viewers should be aware that if they choose to work on their homes, they do so at their own risk. Top Homeowner is not responsible for any damages that may occur to the property of a viewer. Some of the projects, materials, and techniques may not be suitable for all ages or skill levels. It is up to the viewer to decide whether to consult with a professional before working on their home. We make no claims to the safety of the projects, techniques, or resources featured in this video, and we will not be held responsible for the actions viewers may choose to take with the information provided. It is recommended that viewers use common sense and take all necessary safety measures. Codes, regulations, standards, and rules are constantly changing around the world, so it is the viewer's responsibility to ascertain their local requirements before starting any type of work.

[@cww922]

Easy way to explain Line & Load that I find is to remind people that the 'IN' in Line represents power coming in, while the 'O' in Load means power going out downstream.

[@smoothjb2384]

I like the way chuck explained it! Like to meet a guy like you on the job site. I’ve been in the field for almost 4 years but I work for a controls company and we usually mess with a lot of low voltage stuff so I’m trying to get the high voltage knowledge to go along with my low voltage I need a raise lol

[@ariz09011]

@@smoothjb2384 ok

[@nathangentry9926]

I always used the fishing analogy. You throw your line in the water and pull your load out.

[@auletjohnast03638]

Chuck Williams, Downstream is a phrase in the Beatles song "I'm Only Sleeping".

[@DiffEQ]

No mnemonic required. If you don't know the difference between LINE and LOAD, then you have no business working on electrical systems. It's also just EASIER to remember what LINE means instead of having to remember a mnemonic which renders zero understanding.

[@netwonc]

As a 80 year old man, I appreciate you young people explaining the way you do. Technology has sure changed since my youth. Thanks so much for your sharing your knowledge.

[@TopHomeowner]

Glad to help!

[@aaronanderson6362]

Sir you’re 80? Maybe 81 by now- my mom is 60 and can’t turn her phone off and on- you sir are commenting on a KZbin video. You are awesome! And you are staying with tech pretty good

[@jackriley5974]

I'm 81 and after 4 minutes of this gave it up because this guy doesn't know how to side-wire this outlet. I'm not going to explain. Look around; there must be another 50 vlogs on the same subject (many of them incorrect as well?)

[@SummerofJoy]

@@jackriley5974 You don't have to side wire a GFCI, it's called back wiring and it's just as good. The plates clamp down as you tighten the screw. Leviton now has Wago style recepticles that take 3 seconds to wire. Decora Edge. Side wiring will be obsolete soon.

[@bobpond7973]

IMPORTANT: Leviton GFCI's have "Line" terminals at the top. The model shown in this video (including the wiring diagram shown) has line terminals at the bottom. At 3:35 in the video you note something like "If you are replacing an old GFCI with a new GFCI then it is easier to do as you just place the wires from the line terminals of the old GFCI onto the line terminals of the new GFCI." Strictly speaking this is correct, but only if you use a voltage tester or actually read the labels on the back of the old GFCI and the new GFCI. If you are unfortunate, your old GFCI may have the line terminals on the top while your new GFCI has the line terminals on the bottom. If this is the case and you simply move the top wires from the old GFCI to the top terminals of the new GFCI and move the bottom wires from the old to the bottom terminals of the new then the LED of the GFCI will light up green, suggesting that it is active, but the GFCI will not reset, the outlet itself will not be live and the downstream circuit will not be live. You may then think that you have to call an electrician to track down a (non-existant) ground fault. The bottom line (no pun intended): when wiring a GFCI, you MUST read the labels on the back of the outlet (or read the installation instructions that come with the new GFCI) and make sure to connect the live wire from the panel and the neutral coming from the panel onto the terminals marked "line" on the back of the new GFCI outlet.

[@Jetmo]

Just happened to me. I had a phone call with an electrician and he helped me over the phone, great guy. It was an Leviton as well! Thanks!

[@Boooslayer]

Nice

[@MrRlovely]

I'm not an electrician but I think the correct way to do it would be to to remove the old outlet, cap the hot wires, energize the circuit and then voltage test. Reading the old outlet is assuming the previous installer did the job correctly, which isn't something I would do.

[@ruffhausmalinois]

100%accurate..... Leviton has everything labeled.... Darwinproof for most

[@coopcoo]

What if I replace a normal outlet with GFCI (leviton), it's a single outlet, nothing downstream. I connected to the line side but my LED light didn't turn on (outlet was working though) and I tripped it but it won't reset?

[@ashhiro8179]

Very helpful! Thank you for laying it all out and with basic pictures! Super helpful

[@gregoryv.zimansr4031]

Thanks for your video. You answered my question about line and load. LINE IN---LOAD OUT

[@robertking2582]

Excellent job explaining how to wire a GFCI outlet. Thank you very much

[@user-lt9wo3se1h]

Thank you for your warm and enthusiastic explanation! I got my questions answered.

[@christopherwiddis8453]

Great video, clear cut and straight forward .

[@kenmoritz2483]

Great video. The best explanation with detail that any novice can follow.

[@lenjoplus]

Great explanation. Clear with no excess verbiage.

[@dstmars1]

Thanks. Good video. My home was built in 1990 so I was looking for info about how to update the electrics to bring the home into todays code requirements and this video was a great help.

[@amirdindar9648]

Super helpful! Thank you for being so clear and to-the-point

[@TopHomeowner]

No problem, thanks!

[@fyermun]

Best and easiest explanation of understanding and installing a gfci outlet. Thank you.

[@TopHomeowner]

You're welcome!

[@firemann3295]

Great video with clear & simple explanation. Also includes some great tips and reasons to not do certain things. Thank you very much!

[@rong8324]

Thanks so much for taking the time to explain this. Really great video and camera work!!

[@TopHomeowner]

Thanks! Glad it's helpful.

[@stevenjulie4698]

Most comprehensive explanation of GFCI receptacles I've seen so far! Thanks! Learned a lot!

[@TopHomeowner]

Great to hear!

[@laoshark]

Great job. I appreciate how you get straight to the point.

[@TopHomeowner]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@natemonk89]

Thank you. I needed a quick refresher when putting one in.

[@wazzouz]

Thanks for showing how to connect a GFCI. Great video.

[@TopHomeowner]

You bet!

[@elliot8096]

This is the best video on this topic on youtube, subscribed.

[@PaliBhangoo]

Amazing no nonsense explanation. Thanks 👍

[@mmkkjkkkkkkkmmmm]

Thanks for helping me understand the difference between the load and the line. I was struggling with that untill I watched your video.

[@TopHomeowner]

Glad it helped!

[@cortlanolson1025]

Thank you! Trying to setup Christmas lights on my home that I just purchased a couple months ago and none of the exterior outlets had power! Turns out that they were all wired incorrectly, the explanation on Load vs Line made it very clear.

[@TopHomeowner]

Glad the video helped!

[@kennyw871]

Very well done in all respects. Like I always say, it's easy when you know how. You made this task easy, now I know (understand) why. Thank you very much.

[@TopHomeowner]

Thanks for the comment and I'm glad it was helpful!

[@jimmoran689]

Very helpful. Thanks for sharing your time and knowledge

[@ronkochevar1057]

Thanks man. super simple and easy to follow. cheers!

[@ricardo19851]

The video is probably the best on the internet. You described it good thanks

[@TopHomeowner]

Thanks! I appreciate the comment

[@0819kent]

Just replaced a GFI with the help of your excellent explanation thank you!

[@TopHomeowner]

Glad it helped!

[@apagan65]

Very good explanation for any beginner. Thank you for your detailed information. 👍

[@TopHomeowner]

Glad it was helpful!

[@denisestarr2314]

Thank you . Good ,clean simple leason.

[@juanvargas9]

Thank you. Great job at teaching!

[@christopherhathaway6767]

Excellent explanation of the load versus line and the different types of connecting the wires. Thank you very much as I am now comfortable with proceeding to replace my GFCI outlet.

[@TopHomeowner]

Glad it helped!

[@louisregos1272]

That you for making it easy,I was going to spend $90 an hour

[@SovanoraHounKhin]

I like the way you show the pic of diagram how to hook wire up to the recepticals. Great educational.

[@TopHomeowner]

Thanks!

[@Praise___YaH]

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[@RadioFixer]

The best video on KZbin regarding this project. Excellent job 👍👏👏

[@TopHomeowner]

Thank you very much!

[@ryanv7195]

Awsome video! Thank you. This was intricate in me wiring my own correctly.

[@garriedaden4168]

Very clear and helpful. Thanks

[@Honestandtruth]

Man....... You are so thorough fully...👍👍 Thank you

[@TopHomeowner]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jimthompson129]

Super informative video!! Very well done - I learned a lot! Thank you!!!!!

[@kortisbraun9798]

Excellent....very well and plainly explained. you're good. You know your stuff.

[@TopHomeowner]

I appreciate that!

[@eusebiohernandez2898]

Much better video then the last, alot easier to understand.

[@eusebiohernandez2898]

I've got a lot of electrical plugs that i need to replace so this video will really help

[@e.b.6766]

Great video. Very useful information for my mental toolbox!!!

[@TopHomeowner]

Thanks! Glad it helped.

[@joef1159]

Explain very well ,easy understand thanks for video 👍

[@briancalvin5222]

Excellent job explaining with video. I'm doing this in my bath now. Thanks bud !

[@TopHomeowner]

Glad it helped!

[@k.a9567]

Very good explanation. Thanks

[@rik680]

I new nothing about replacing A GFI outlet . But watching your vid I definitely learned something new , you explained it thoroughly that even A rookie like me learned . Thats not the only thing , even though I replaced it when it kept on tripping you taught me what to look for and how to fix . I was ready to call an electrician till i seen you’re tutorial , Thank You !

[@TopHomeowner]

That's great to hear! Glad this helped

[@G.I.JeffsWorkbench]

Very thorough. Thank you.

[@TraddSlayton]

Excellent job explaining this!

[@TopHomeowner]

Thank you!

[@markshively1365]

Very well done. Doing my basement remodel and wanted to tap off an existing outlet - switching that to a GFCI will make the new downstream outlets much safer. Thanks!

[@TopHomeowner]

You bet!

[@CharLie-kd9vb]

Great Clear Detailed Video Thanks

[@TopHomeowner]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stevenhm88]

Amazing!!! It was a piece of cake after your explanation 🎉

[@sergueyherrero9071]

This video helped me fix the issue. Thanks.

[@TopHomeowner]

Awesome, good to hear!

[@alexanderdow5347]

So much great info in a few minutes....thanx!

[@TopHomeowner]

Very welcome!

[@michaelhagen9714]

This really helped me out a lot. Thank you for making it so easy to understand! Was able to get my wiring project done!

[@TopHomeowner]

Glad it helped!

[@kavocat8497]

Thank you for this! Very good and simple explanation.

[@TopHomeowner]

Glad it was helpful!

[@touxiong7814]

Great explanation and diagram to help us DYI homeowner etc... Excellent

[@TopHomeowner]

Thanks! 👍

[@L1s478]

Learned so much from this! Thank you!

[@TopHomeowner]

You're welcome!

[@RS-sl5ko]

Best, clearest explanation that I have found. The only thing not mentioned is if you have a receptacle before the ground fault receptacle that is controlled by the same breaker. Ie.- garage door verses receptacles In the garage walls.

[@TopHomeowner]

Good point! Thanks for the comment!

[@alfonsocaro4221]

Very well explained.

[@matthoward6130]

Great! Exactly what I needed

[@skeeterskoville9226]

Needed the refresher. Thanks bro!

[@TopHomeowner]

You bet!

[@1ofhischildren453]

Nice refresher

[@lashonyataylor9492]

I find this video very helpful I have to replace one ,thank you for sharing

[@lancer525]

I had a guy at one of the local electrical supply house say that it was Line In from the panel and Load Out to other outlets. A good way to remember it for DIYers.

[@firehorse66elaine]

Wow, thanks so much, I blew out my gcfi outside, hooked wires to the line terminals. Nothing worked, even the kitchen lights, I was afraid to hook them up to the taped load wires. Watched your video and decided that I needed to hook them to loaded terminals, and like magic they all work now!

[@TopHomeowner]

That's great to hear!

[@georgeeddy594]

Thanks! Very clear explanation!

[@TopHomeowner]

You're welcome, thank you!

[@DIYwithCam]

Very helpful video for someone with limited electrical knowledge, like me.

[@TopHomeowner]

Glad it was helpful!

[@richardcurb7870]

Excellent explanation thanks

[@davido6915]

Thanks buddy! Good video and easy to understand!

[@TopHomeowner]

Glad you liked it!

[@randyw.8781]

Very helpful, thanks. One of mine in the kitchen sparked and shutdown killing all the downstream outlets. I noted at Home Depot they have 15 amp and 20 amp rated GFCI outlets. I assume both will work but will get the higher rated one.

[@shockproof2006]

"Loads" of good information, Thanks!

[@sterlinggreen155]

Damn very well and simply explained 👏 👌 👍

[@ernestojosesanchez1696]

Thank you so much for explain about the Gfci

[@TopHomeowner]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MinerH2O]

Thank you! Big help!!!

[@abhijitkarkare]

Wow, you made this very easy, thanks

[@TopHomeowner]

You bet!

[@peterbiagini4809]

Excellent presentation. Very good and simple explanation. Not like some of the crap put online by total idiots who think they actually know what they're doing.

[@FRJ1982]

Easiest way for me to explain line and load to someone is Line is like powerLINEs outside (where the power actually comes from)...and load is like as if you are downLOADing something, you are sending information (power) to something/somewhere else

[@TopHomeowner]

Great analogy, thanks!

[@bluecube7247]

Excellent 😊 thx

[@sauchoi1025]

Thank you for the information it teach us the difference between the two, like it.

[@TopHomeowner]

You bet!

[@iraqi7299]

Good man, you made my day

[@TheLaidbackBiker]

Very good video. Thank you.

[@poundermonster]

Great video! I have a finished wall with an outlet that’s the main circuit. That outlet is already wired to other outlets going to the left direction of my finished wall. I need to install one outlet going right of the main circuit outlet and I’m looking to get the power from the main outlet I just mentioned, can I add and screw the new outlet going right on the same screws of the outlets going to the left?

[@lordbyron3603]

Very helpful !! Thank you !

[@TopHomeowner]

You're welcome!

[@richhayek2092]

great video, never the smaller side of the plug was also the hot side of the recp.

[@jeffcollins3898]

Thanks, this was super helpful. I replaced some GFCI outlets and they didn't work after I was very careful to make sure all wiring was done exactly the same way. Couldn't figure out what was wrong, so I watched this video. Turns out the Line/Load indicators were opposite (Line on top of old receptacle, and on the bottom of the new one). Thanks, saved me tons of troubleshooting time!

[@TopHomeowner]

Glad it helped!

[@davidbaik4121]

Thank you so much for simple and clear explanation!! Save me $250!

[@thomassohayda3375]

A good one to remember is line in and load out for power to a gfci. Also where you have old knob and tube wiring with no ground, if you run a ground to the first outlet and install a gfci like the example in the video, every plug after that will be gfi protected even though there's no ground.

[@2Truth4Liberty]

Is there any benefit in running a ground from the GFCI to the downstream outlets rather than just using "two-wire w/o grd"?

[@thomassohayda3375]

@@2Truth4Liberty definitely, having a direct to earth ground on every plug is ideal. Alot of folks can't afford a complete rewire, so adding a gfci like I suggested is a temporary solution that works and is within budget for most.

[@DiffEQ]

No mnemonic required. If you don't know the difference between LINE and LOAD, then you have no business working on electrical systems. It's also just EASIER to remember what LINE means instead of having to remember a mnemonic which renders zero understanding. Why do you speak on things you clearly don't understand. GFCI protection is ground independent and NO GROUND IS REQUIRED for GFCI protection. Period. If you have three-prong receptacles, then it's dangerous if there is no actual ground because the device you're plugging in is designed for protective ground if it has a three-prong plug. Stop giving advice as if you KNOW the subject when it is clear to those who do that you're ignorant.

[@DiffEQ]

@@2Truth4Liberty Don't listen to this fraud. GFCI protects downstream devices and no ground is required. Period. If you home does not have protective grounds run, then GFCI is a great way of protecting people from electrocution because it senses very small (1-3 mA) current differences in the HOT and Neutral conductors. You need to be very careful, though, that there is no other neutral path downstream or the GFCI will trip every time since both the HOT and Neutral need to be connected only to the GFCI on the LOAD side.

[@markrenton1093]

@@DiffEQ , I just replaced mine and the instructions on the GFCI showed it to be grounded.

[@E.L.RipleyAtNostromo]

Very interesting, thank you. I just needed to replace a broken GFCI, and somehow stupidly got the bottom line neutral wire crossed with the top load neutral wire and it didn't work, so I had to pay an electrician to come out to move one wire! But I had put a voltage tester on both load and line wires and got voltage, which was confusing. If I turn off the circuit breaker, what's the best way to determine which are the line wires? Of course going forward I learned to mark the two line (or load) wires with tape to ID them, as in my case the wires shifted when I disconnected them from the broken GFCI outlet. Thanks for the clear video instruction.

[@rmf11699]

I just did the same thing. Electricians LOVE people like us cause it's a simple fix and easy money for that repair.

[@Kuro_kon]

Once you know which one of the wires is load and which one is line the other neutral wire connected to it will be the load or the line.

[@jackibillings4397]

Been there as well. I had to call an Electrician out. But he showed me the error of my ways.

[@yousukkar6497]

helpful allot for mentioning that all the following circuit is protected thank you very much

[@johnmelvin2357]

Great video. Thanks

[@user-bx1wj9nf4o]

❤❤❤❤LOVE YOUR TUTS VERY EASY TO UNDERSTAND ❤❤❤

[@cattigereyes1]

Where I work tested the outlets found 2 black wire white wires reversed! To a GFCI out let in the bathroom! A big no no for a commercial location! The wiring has many open grounds due to being old and one outlet out in the lobby! Yes I used to work for a electrician! Started school for it but the whole trig was out of my wheel house!

[@richardalther3619]

Great video. My question is about the size of the GFCI. I've had instances where replacing a regular receptacle with GFCI, I find it's sometimes really difficult to "stuff" the new GFCI into the box and worry that the wires will get pinched. Same thing happened when I replaced a standard receptacle with a USB version - it was much larger. In that case, I actually ended up having to buy a deeper box and replace it. Any tips for stuffing these things back in the box without worrying about pinching the wires? Is it even something I should be worried about?

[@michaelmasztal7871]

I can sympathize. Especially if you're doing a reno project and adding GFCIs where there were none before and you have shallow box. You could use a box extender (looks weird) or install a GFCI breaker in appropriate slot in the panel. To answer your last question, pick up a VoltClaw to manipulate wires in the box. I use one frequently on the renovation I do.

[@tjburkecreative]

Quick question. I need to add a hood over a gas range(which is a 20a circuit). Is it acceptable to make the range outlet a GFCI and then branch off of it up the wall to another outlet? Would that be considered an “individual branch circuit? Or am I better off putting the hood on a separate circuit? Thanks for the helpful information and great video!

[@goondawg2468]

By far the best vid! Where would you hook up that ground tho?

[@45searay]

Very helpful !

[@maxmott7489]

Perfect explanation

[@TopHomeowner]

Thank you!

[@jjm2233]

thank you for the tips! replaced the old gfci and added a new outlet with USB! 🤙🤙🤙

[@TopHomeowner]

Awesome! I'm sure that will be nice to have :)

[@panelpal111]

Good explanation

[@oscarmondragonuribe7840]

You are extremely professional on explaining every detail excellent tone of voice and proper words easy to catch everything no bad words make the teaching more professional thank you

[@christopherrobnn]

Finally found a video that answered my question...

[@jc65211]

Great vid…thanks brother!

[@TopHomeowner]

You bet. Thanks for the feedback!