Interactive diagram

GFCI Wiring With LINE and LOAD to Protect Downstream Outlets

Incoming power goes to LINE and the cable to the next outlet goes to LOAD. One GFCI then protects every outlet after it on the circuit, which is the usual way to protect a kitchen or bathroom run.

Tool

Interactive gfci outlet wiring diagramThree steps: pick your setup, flip the switches, wire it

Step 1 of 3

Which setup do you have?

Look in the box with the breaker off: what matters is where the power cable comes in. Pick the one that matches, or keep the one already selected.

Step 2 of 3

Press TEST on the GFCI

Tap a switch, button or GFCI on the diagram. Glowing wires are carrying power right now. On a small screen, scroll the diagram sideways.

Show power flow

Black: hot
White: neutral
Red: hot / traveler
White + black tape: hot
Bare copper: ground
Wire nut
Glow: carrying power now

Everything wired from the LOAD terminals is protected. Press TEST on the diagram: the next outlet loses power too.

Put a “GFCI Protected Outlet” sticker (supplied in the box) on each downstream outlet.

Step 3 of 3

Wire it box by box

Safety first. Turn off the breaker and confirm the power is off with a non-contact voltage tester before touching any wire. Follow your local electrical code; some areas require a licensed electrician or a permit. If you find aluminum wiring, cloth-covered wiring, scorched insulation or more than one circuit in a box, stop and call an electrician.

GFCI box

Grounds: join the bare copper wire in the 14/2 cable bringing power in, the bare copper wire in the 14/2 cable to next outlet box and a short bare copper pigtail to the gfci outlet’s green ground screw under one wire nut.
GFCI outlet, LINE brass screw → the black wire in the 14/2 cable bringing power in.
GFCI outlet, LINE silver screw → the white wire in the 14/2 cable bringing power in.
GFCI outlet, LOAD brass screw → the black wire in the 14/2 cable to next outlet box.
GFCI outlet, LOAD silver screw → the white wire in the 14/2 cable to next outlet box.

Next outlet box

Regular outlet, top brass screw → the black wire in the 14/2 cable to gfci box.
Regular outlet, top silver screw → the white wire in the 14/2 cable to gfci box.
Regular outlet, green ground screw → the bare copper wire in the 14/2 cable to gfci box.

Other gfci outlet setups

What you need

GFCI outlet (tamper-resistant)Self-testing, TR and weather-resistant models for outdoors.
Check price
Outlet tester with GFCI buttonChecks wiring faults and trips the GFCI in seconds.
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Non-contact voltage testerConfirms the power is really off before you touch a wire.
Check price
Lever wire connectorsFaster and more forgiving than twist-on wire nuts for pigtails and splices.
Check price

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GFCI Wiring With LINE and LOAD to Protect Downstream Outlets

Which setup do you have?

Press TEST on the GFCI

Wire it box by box

GFCI box

Next outlet box

Other gfci outlet setups

What you need

More wiring tools