Home Repair forum - GFCI Breaker or Outlet?

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GFCI Breaker or Outlet?

brian.sico@gmail.com

2006-08-29, 5:25 pm

I am runnign a new circuit to a screened porch for 3 outlets. I want
to have these on a GFI circuit. The way I see it there are 2 options.
One is to install a GFI Circuit breaker for the curcuit. The other is
to make the forst plug a GFI outlet and run the circuit through it to
protect the rest of the circuit. Is there a difference between the
two? Is one prefered over the other? The rest of the house (built
2001) uses the latter approach for its GFI circuits.

hallerb@aol.com

2006-08-29, 5:25 pm

brian.sico@gmail.com wrote:
> I am runnign a new circuit to a screened porch for 3 outlets. I want
> to have these on a GFI circuit. The way I see it there are 2 options.
> One is to install a GFI Circuit breaker for the curcuit. The other is
> to make the forst plug a GFI outlet and run the circuit through it to
> protect the rest of the circuit. Is there a difference between the
> two? Is one prefered over the other? The rest of the house (built
> 2001) uses the latter approach for its GFI circuits.

both work, having the GFCI near the point of use is a lot more
convenient when they trip.

I have done what you plan, plus a GFCI breaker on a real long branch
can trip because of inductive coupling.

yours is the best solution

hallerb@aol.com

2006-08-29, 5:25 pm

Pete C.

2006-08-29, 5:25 pm

brian.sico@gmail.com wrote:
>
> I am runnign a new circuit to a screened porch for 3 outlets. I want
> to have these on a GFI circuit. The way I see it there are 2 options.
> One is to install a GFI Circuit breaker for the curcuit. The other is
> to make the forst plug a GFI outlet and run the circuit through it to
> protect the rest of the circuit. Is there a difference between the
> two? Is one prefered over the other? The rest of the house (built
> 2001) uses the latter approach for its GFI circuits.

The primary difference is in the cost. For whatever stupid reason a GFCI
breaker costs a *lot* more than a standard breaker and separate GFCI
outlet.

Since a standard GFCI outlet provides protection for everything
downstream of it, there is little difference protection wise. I even saw
one odd case where someone installed a bank of GFCI outlets directly
beside their service panel to provide GFCI protection for the circuits.
Looks pretty odd and an inspector is likely to question it though
probably pass it. I'd guess it saves on the order of $20+ per protected
circuit depending on the brand of breakers.

Pete C.

M Q

2006-08-29, 5:25 pm

brian.sico@gmail.com wrote:
> I am runnign a new circuit to a screened porch for 3 outlets. I want
> to have these on a GFI circuit. The way I see it there are 2 options.
> One is to install a GFI Circuit breaker for the curcuit. The other is
> to make the forst plug a GFI outlet and run the circuit through it to
> protect the rest of the circuit. Is there a difference between the
> two? Is one prefered over the other? The rest of the house (built
> 2001) uses the latter approach for its GFI circuits.
>

It seems that GFCI outlets sell for much less than GFCI breakers.
Use the outlets unless the situation makes the breakers easier enough
to justify the cost.

Mark Lloyd

2006-08-29, 8:25 pm

On Tue, 29 Aug 2006 19:56:36 GMT, "Pete C." <aux3.DOH.4@snet.net>
wrote:

>brian.sico@gmail.com wrote:
>
>The primary difference is in the cost. For whatever stupid reason a GFCI
>breaker costs a *lot* more than a standard breaker and separate GFCI
>outlet.
>

There are space limitations for breakers. That might have something to
do with it. Or, like most things, things cost more when a smaller
quantity is made.

>Since a standard GFCI outlet provides protection for everything
>downstream of it, there is little difference protection wise. I even saw
>one odd case where someone installed a bank of GFCI outlets directly
>beside their service panel to provide GFCI protection for the circuits.
>Looks pretty odd and an inspector is likely to question it though
>probably pass it. I'd guess it saves on the order of $20+ per protected
>circuit depending on the brand of breakers.
>
>Pete C.
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what
to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb
contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin

Tom The Great

2006-08-31, 9:25 am

On 29 Aug 2006 11:35:34 -0700, brian.sico@gmail.com wrote:

>I am runnign a new circuit to a screened porch for 3 outlets. I want
>to have these on a GFI circuit. The way I see it there are 2 options.
>One is to install a GFI Circuit breaker for the curcuit. The other is
>to make the forst plug a GFI outlet and run the circuit through it to
>protect the rest of the circuit. Is there a difference between the
>two? Is one prefered over the other? The rest of the house (built
>2001) uses the latter approach for its GFI circuits.

For me, imho, I measure things sometimes on cost, ease of
installation, and operation.

1. A GFCI receptacle is typically cheaper than GFCI breaker.
2. I find a GFCI receptacle easier/SAFER to install than a GFCI
breaker. I keep my panel energized.
3. If I trip a GFCI circuit, I want the reset in the immediate area.
So I don't have to walk far. The GFCI receptacle sounds like a
winner here too.

So, without seeing your setup, it seems in my option a receptacle
would make me happy.

later,

tom @ www.BlankHelp.com

brian.sico@gmail.com

2006-08-31, 9:25 am

Tom The Great wrote:
> On 29 Aug 2006 11:35:34 -0700, brian.sico@gmail.com wrote:
>
>
>
> For me, imho, I measure things sometimes on cost, ease of
> installation, and operation.
>
> 1. A GFCI receptacle is typically cheaper than GFCI breaker.
> 2. I find a GFCI receptacle easier/SAFER to install than a GFCI
> breaker. I keep my panel energized.
> 3. If I trip a GFCI circuit, I want the reset in the immediate area.
> So I don't have to walk far. The GFCI receptacle sounds like a
> winner here too.
>
> So, without seeing your setup, it seems in my option a receptacle
> would make me happy.
>
> later,
>
> tom @ www.BlankHelp.com

Thanks for all the info. I assumed that the receptacle would work
fine, but just I was trying to figure out if there was an actual
justification to the breaker being more expensive. Looks like in
dollars and effort the receptacle is the better buy.

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