Great video this was a big help to me as well because in other videos they just put the pigtail into the neutral bar and didn't explain that the neutral has to be put into the breaker.
Just going to repeat what so many others have said. This was perfectly clear and understandable. Was confused before but this made sense out of it for me. Thank you.
Custom home builder EX Farmer in my younger days Building site control booths now days have 3 plugs and your video helped me a ton . Seems simple but new to me Thanks man now I’m putting in a request on how to properly wire any plug . How much wire to leave how to fold it like a real electrician . My stuff ends up jammed in the box in a big way
I used your video to replace the GCFI breaker for my swimming pool... Now the Heater come on. Great video. Very informative. Good camera work and very inclusive.
You're my guy, i've chosen you, whenever someone at work thinks they are the shit, i refer to you - i hope you get all the best in life, and a little of that trickles down to me.. Thank you for being very formal, and very understandable, you are doing great, keep at it, may your god be with you.
Good job on the video. Thank you for posting. I was deciding whether to use a regular breaker or a gfi breaker for my car lift. I decided to go with a regular 30 amp breaker.
So, after he attached the curly white wire to the neutral bar the video seemed to skip and then he attached a straight white wire back to the breaker. Where did that wire come from ??
Excellent...Amateur here (since I wired my whole house in 1986). My main panel has the combined neutral/earth bar on the left of the panel. That means I am going to have to use extension neutral wires for A: the pig tail and B: the circuit neutral. It can soon look like a bird's nest if I do not use plenty of wire and route the 2 neutral extensions right round the rim of the box ... Comments ?
I really hope this is for demonstration purposes only. You put a square D breaker in what I assume is a GE panel, since all the other breakers are GE. That’s a no no, and would fail electrical inspection. You have to use the same brand breakers in a panel. We know some fit others, but some seem like they fit, but actually do not. I think that should be mentioned here, since a lot of beginners are watching this.
Minute 6:24 he put his hand inside of the electrical main panel, he said the panel is off, but later he said he’s confident to work with a live panel, looks like the panel is off. Good video
Great Viedo....lots of information...One thing.... You say you are ok working with the main breaker on... And thats your preference...hope you are not wearing that ring when you are actually working with a hot box
@@craigmichaud-electricalins4602 thank you. I ended up capping the load side neutral and connecting the ground like you said. Breaker panel neutral went to breaker and breaker neutral to the neutral bar. All good! Tests pass!!
I want to replace my hood vent that was hard wired into an ungrounded circuit. I have no ground and am looking for solutions for safety. I know GFCI receptacles provide protection for the outlet, but if I put a GFCI breaker in will it provide protection for the entire circuit? My hunch is it would, but unsure.
great video, I finishing my lower level and I am required to update to AFI/GFI and my current breaker box does not have the room to install the longer breakers. Is there a solution?
Craig I have a question. Why would a GFCI outlet read good for wiring. Then you plug something into the outlet and it trips the GFCI breaker? I’m new to GFCI breakers and apparently so is the electrician I am working with. The issue started when I had a regular breaker in my box. Everything worked great, no problems. Per our city code we had to remove the regular breaker and put a GFCI breaker. Now every time I plug something into an outlet that is connected to a GFCI receptacle the GFCI breaker trips. Why? I’m guessing it is the way the neutral wire is hooked up. Can you help me?
Sound like you work with existing wiring...very hard manually. I'd trace the wire. If it's too clutter in there, you need to buy a good tracer device...Amazon has one.
Hi I go to a tech school for electrical and im looking to go to competition for motor controls for the competition last year they used a solid state timer relay I was wanting to know if you had a video on them or could you make a video on them I haven't been able to find any info on them thank you for reading your videos have really helped me out
@@craigmichaud-electricalins4602 @Craig Michaud- Electrical Instructor Question: what is the purpose of the neutral pigtail on the GFCI breaker? Why does the neutral from the circuit have to be directly bonded to the breaker but the neutral pigtail gets connected to the neutral bus bar? This is the only thing that I don't understand.
hey man, thank you for your video. Question: It is a rule or important consideration to work first with neutrals and ground and last the phase (line, live, hot)?
Do I have to have 2 of these breakers to run a pool pump and lights ? 1 for pump and another for the led lights around the pool . Code in Tennessee says only 1 receptacle for pump ,
I used a 30 amp breaker with my last pool and that was because I used both the timer and the pump on this breaker. Is that over kill or would the 20 amp GFCI be enough?
How would this get wired for a common (shared) neutral? In Chicago area, paired breakers (2 Hot wires - one per 120VAC phase) can share a common single wire neutral. Saves copper wire (neutral) So the GFCI would trip when any load is active on the phase not on the GFCI breaker.
After some review, found a 2 circuit GFCI breaker with common (shared) neutral. Breakers share a trip bar -so that a GFCI fault will de-energize both circuits
Hi Craig, love your videos! I'm installing a Square D 20amp Dual function breaker and noticed my main panel (just bought house) has all or most of the neutral whites and bare copper grounds landed together in the bar... Is that how I should wire this one also??? Thanks.
Great video bro, I definitely feel prepared to go install one of these in two circuits I'm running in a kitchen remodel: One is going to supply a #12 wire for a dishwasher, and another separate one will supply a #12 wire to a refridgerator. Do you think I should do the same for a microwave?
Nice video..bought newer house 1 year old…vacuum cleaners pop breakers all over house…have gfci breakers….tried repl myself but shows volts there with entire house shut down…daaa scared me…guy came out and can’t get the new breakers..also they said would crazy over priced….weeks later I get my own…but new gfci breakers have that 3 rd white wire…afraid to go in if hot and wire up..not afraid to wire stuff hot- but volts there when there shouldn’t be is creepy….have an answer? Capacitor in there is my guess…and main breaker for entire house shut off….thanksss
Great video. Can the neutral involved in this hookup also serve as the neutral for another hot wire that is on the other "leg" of the service coming into the house? Or does it have to be dedicated, so the potential difference you referred to as the cause of tripping does not occur?
No. Neither a GFI or AFCI breaker will work on a shared neutral circuit. The current on the shared neutral will be out of balance with the hot wire of either circuit. This causes shared circuit breaker to trip off. I know this from both theory and experience.
I have 2 hot wires currently into one breaker . Will this combo breaker be able to have 2 hot and 2 neutral lines screwed in. There only seems to be one side that I can slide wires into . Can I just slide both wires into the same hole ?
Hey man been subscribed for awhile love your videos they're very helpful. Can you by any chance make a video on 3 way switch loop and 4 way switch loops?
I built my house about 25 years ago before these things were around but over the last 10 years I've added a few circuits to my house including a sub panel for an AC unit and also wired up a couple other houses where I remodeled the interiors. I did the wiring on them including replacing the main panels but I specifically didn't use these as I had heard horror stories about these things causing nuisance trips and the fact they are about 4 times more expensive than a standard breaker. Are the stories about nuisance trips real and/or have these things been improved where they don't cause issues anymore?
The stories are true but apply to older AFIC technology breakers. AFIC breakers on today's market are markedly improved. HVAC motors may still cause nuisance trips -- but I can't say for sure.
Hi, thanks for the videos. I had a question. I'm building a food truck and a guy on a video mentioned that he has tampered resistant outlets and he says if you use tamper resistant you must use a gfi or use a gfi breaker. Should I use just gfi breakers or use all gfi outlets or use just one gfi outlet closest to the breaker to cover the other outlet? Thanks
GFI protection should be present for any receptacle within 6 ft. of running water (like a sink, shower) in a residence. This protection can be provided either by a GFI outlet or the breaker on that circuit. This is independent of tamper-resistant outlets. TR outlets should now be used in any livable part of a residence. I cannot say what the rules are for a food truck, however.
Honestly, even turning off the main breaker doesn't mean the panel is 100% safe. If you are nervous working in a panel, call an electrician. It might cost more money but it will be done right and safely. Good video though. Very descriptive about how the breakers work.
It is tripping because something is causing it to trip, like a receptacle that is shorting out.. That is the purpose of the Breaker.. You need to go look at each outlet that this Breaker circuit is connected to, and make sure each outlet is working correctly. Then, if all the outlets are working correctly, I would move this Breaker over to another circuit that you know is working ok and test it there.. If it fails to work there, then the Breaker is defective and you have to take it back..
That tells you that it detects a fault in your circuit. Check all your receptacles that line runs. I had the same problem like you and found 2 outlets were burned on the back, causing a short.
in replacing a non gfci breaker with a gfci breaker you say you need the neutral wire from the same circuit, how do you find the right neutral in a breaker box with so many other neutral wires
In modern electric cable like NM 12/2 the wires are bundled together. Trace the subject hot wire back to where the cable enters the panel to find its corresponding neutral wire. My house predates modern cable, so I could not do this. Here is what I did. WITH THE POWER TO THE PANEL OFF, measure the resistance between the circuit's hot wire and a candidate neutral. Each neutral must be disconnected from the neutral bar. If you leave the hot connected to the breaker, ensure the breaker is OFF. The resistance between the hot wire and its corresponding neutral will be low to zero; the others will be infinite (unless you unfortunately have a shared neutral). I did construct a plug with the hot/neutral shorted & plugged that into an outlet on the circuit to ensure a low resistance -- WITH THE POWER OFF. Tip to the wise: remember to remove the shunted plug before reapplying the power. :-)
This is what I was looking for, simple and concise information on how to install a GFIC breaker in a panel.
Great video this was a big help to me as well because in other videos they just put the pigtail into the neutral bar and didn't explain that the neutral has to be put into the breaker.
If you have absolutely no experience don’t fool with it period!! New to the page and I’m digging the videos. Thank you👍
Thanks for actually doing the job live / turning the screws in front of the camera in stead of just yapping about it like some of the other videos.
Thanks Craig. Had to replace a GFCI breaker. Never saw them before. This was so clear and easy to follow. Thanks!
Thanks Craig, this is the clearest video I've found on this subject.
Just going to repeat what so many others have said. This was perfectly clear and understandable. Was confused before but this made sense out of it for me. Thank you.
This is the best video I have found on the subject. Good job!
Perfect I need to replace a 30 Amp two pole square D GFCI for the dryer. Directions are great.
Custom home builder EX Farmer in my younger days Building site control booths now days have 3 plugs and your video helped me a ton . Seems simple but new to me Thanks man now I’m putting in a request on how to properly wire any plug . How much wire to leave how to fold it like a real electrician . My stuff ends up jammed in the box in a big way
Tks for this! You saved me Thousands in installing a New LG Dishwasher for they wanted to install a new wire instead just a GFCI.
How much its mA sensitivity ?
Excellent presentation.The technical procedures were so clear...
Thank you so much! You explained how to do this and it wasn't hard to understand!
Definitely helped. Thanks for keeping it simple
used this video to successfully replace my GFCI circuit breaker! thanks a bunch for posting!
Great video you made it so simple to understand thanks
I used your video to replace the GCFI breaker for my swimming pool... Now the Heater come on. Great video. Very informative. Good camera work and very inclusive.
Fry anyone yet?
You're my guy, i've chosen you, whenever someone at work thinks they are the shit, i refer to you - i hope you get all the best in life, and a little of that trickles down to me.. Thank you for being very formal, and very understandable, you are doing great, keep at it, may your god be with you.
I was stuck on that second natural, you made it clear
Great teaching buddy I hope I can use this teaching in the future
Excellent tutorial... thank you!!!
Very useful and professional video tutorial
Thanks for the video!!! very useful . I am sure it will work for a whirpool bathtub
Good job on the video. Thank you for posting. I was deciding whether to use a regular breaker or a gfi breaker for my car lift. I decided to go with a regular 30 amp breaker.
Really poor choice.
Thank you for your interest in teaching and sharing your knowledge.
simple and straight forward - Gracias!
Thank You for posting this - AWESOME!!!
Thanks Craig this was a great video
Great explanation and video. Thanks
Thank you your video was very helpful
What a well-done video. Thanks for taking the time to make it.
I was confused cause the breaker is so big but after seeing your video I understand why now
So, after he attached the curly white wire to the neutral bar the video seemed to skip and then he attached a straight white wire back to the breaker. Where did that wire come from ??
The white wire comes from the outlet!! CM
how to determine which neutral is to the circuit safely?
Thanks for the video, make sure the breaker is off before you work on it!
Thanks for sharing this info !!
Awesome instructional Video!
thank you this is just the video I need. my box is a square D
Excellent...Amateur here (since I wired my whole house in 1986). My main panel has the combined neutral/earth bar on the left of the panel. That means I am going to have to use extension neutral wires for A: the pig tail and B: the circuit neutral. It can soon look like a bird's nest if I do not use plenty of wire and route the 2 neutral extensions right round the rim of the box ... Comments ?
Great clear and easy explanation
I wish i could work with you, I'd even work for free just to learn from you, you explain everything in simple terms.
I bought and sold many houses and had a partner who was a journeyman electrician .... I learned a lot doing that
I really hope this is for demonstration purposes only. You put a square D breaker in what I assume is a GE panel, since all the other breakers are GE. That’s a no no, and would fail electrical inspection. You have to use the same brand breakers in a panel. We know some fit others, but some seem like they fit, but actually do not. I think that should be mentioned here, since a lot of beginners are watching this.
You are a great teacher! Thank you.
I'm upgrading my water fountain feature. I will definitely replace the breaker with a GFCI breaker!
YOU ROCK, CRAIG!!! Thank you!!!
Can you make a video of what circuits are required to be afci or gfci in a residential setting please sir thanks
Thanks for the video. Liked your honesty. Keep up good work. Subscribed and liked 👍
Nice video, good explanation. Question is if I install a GFCI breaker, do I still need GFCI outlets? Thanks again
Nope you can do one or the other!! But cost wise it’s definitely cheaper then buying a breaker!! CM
Great video. Thanks
Great video! Will that help if is not ground wire on the house to protect the electrics (computers, TVs and other sensitives electronics?)
Excellent video !!!
if the neutrals and grounds are on the same bar (old panel) will that trip a GFCI breaker? Mine keeps tripping and I can't figure out why.
Minute 6:24 he put his hand inside of the electrical main panel, he said the panel is off, but later he said he’s confident to work with a live panel, looks like the panel is off.
Good video
Great Viedo....lots of information...One thing.... You say you are ok working with the main breaker on... And thats your preference...hope you are not wearing that ring when you are actually working with a hot box
I have 10-3 romex gfci. I can't figure out where to connect the bare copper wire at the outlet. It's it even required?
The ground is always required!! It needs to go to the ground bar in the panel!! CM
@@craigmichaud-electricalins4602 thank you. I ended up capping the load side neutral and connecting the ground like you said. Breaker panel neutral went to breaker and breaker neutral to the neutral bar. All good! Tests pass!!
I want to replace my hood vent that was hard wired into an ungrounded circuit. I have no ground and am looking for solutions for safety. I know GFCI receptacles provide protection for the outlet, but if I put a GFCI breaker in will it provide protection for the entire circuit? My hunch is it would, but unsure.
Where did you get the blue wire from?
LOWES
great video, I finishing my lower level and I am required to update to AFI/GFI and my current breaker box does not have the room to install the longer breakers. Is there a solution?
You could use afci and gfci receptacles. Hook them up with line and load to limit the amount of afci devices needed.
If you do the outlet method, it's 50ft for 14awg, 70ft for 12awg.
Craig I have a question. Why would a GFCI outlet read good for wiring. Then you plug something into the outlet and it trips the GFCI breaker? I’m new to GFCI breakers and apparently so is the electrician I am working with. The issue started when I had a regular breaker in my box. Everything worked great, no problems. Per our city code we had to remove the regular breaker and put a GFCI breaker. Now every time I plug something into an outlet that is connected to a GFCI receptacle the GFCI breaker trips. Why? I’m guessing it is the way the neutral wire is hooked up. Can you help me?
What is better, replace wall outlets breaker with GFCI breaker or just replace wall outlets with GFCI outlets?
What's best way to find the right neutral for the hot circuit.
Sound like you work with existing wiring...very hard manually. I'd trace the wire. If it's too clutter in there, you need to buy a good tracer device...Amazon has one.
thank you sir for sharing a precious video full of information.
Hi I go to a tech school for electrical and im looking to go to competition for motor controls for the competition last year they used a solid state timer relay I was wanting to know if you had a video on them or could you make a video on them I haven't been able to find any info on them thank you for reading your videos have really helped me out
I do not have any at the moment but plan on it in the next year!! Thank you for the video idea!! CM
@@craigmichaud-electricalins4602
@Craig Michaud- Electrical Instructor
Question: what is the purpose of the neutral pigtail on the GFCI breaker?
Why does the neutral from the circuit have to be directly bonded to the breaker but the neutral pigtail gets connected to the neutral bus bar?
This is the only thing that I don't understand.
hey man, thank you for your video. Question: It is a rule or important consideration to work first with neutrals and ground and last the phase (line, live, hot)?
Ground,neutral then hot
Do I have to have 2 of these breakers to run a pool pump and lights ? 1 for pump and another for the led lights around the pool . Code in Tennessee says only 1 receptacle for pump ,
Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
I used a 30 amp breaker with my last pool and that was because I used both the timer and the pump on this breaker. Is that over kill or would the 20 amp GFCI be enough?
How would this get wired for a common (shared) neutral? In Chicago area, paired breakers (2 Hot wires - one per 120VAC phase) can share a common single wire neutral. Saves copper wire (neutral) So the GFCI would trip when any load is active on the phase not on the GFCI breaker.
After some review, found a 2 circuit GFCI breaker with common (shared) neutral. Breakers share a trip bar -so that a GFCI fault will de-energize both circuits
Hi Craig, love your videos! I'm installing a Square D 20amp Dual function breaker and noticed my main panel (just bought house) has all or most of the neutral whites and bare copper grounds landed together in the bar... Is that how I should wire this one also??? Thanks.
Great video, subbed
Great video bro, I definitely feel prepared to go install one of these in two circuits I'm running in a kitchen remodel: One is going to supply a #12 wire for a dishwasher, and another separate one will supply a #12 wire to a refridgerator. Do you think I should do the same for a microwave?
Nice video..bought newer house 1 year old…vacuum cleaners pop breakers all over house…have gfci breakers….tried repl myself but shows volts there with entire house shut down…daaa scared me…guy came out and can’t get the new breakers..also they said would crazy over priced….weeks later I get my own…but new gfci breakers have that 3 rd white wire…afraid to go in if hot and wire up..not afraid to wire stuff hot- but volts there when there shouldn’t be is creepy….have an answer? Capacitor in there is my guess…and main breaker for entire house shut off….thanksss
Great video. Can the neutral involved in this hookup also serve as the neutral for another hot wire that is on the other "leg" of the service coming into the house? Or does it have to be dedicated, so the potential difference you referred to as the cause of tripping does not occur?
I just installed a GFCI breaker, and pulled a dedicated neutral for the circuit. I figured better safe than sorry. 8^)
No. Neither a GFI or AFCI breaker will work on a shared neutral circuit. The current on the shared neutral will be out of balance with the hot wire of either circuit. This causes shared circuit breaker to trip off. I know this from both theory and experience.
Thanks for the video I didn't know the neutral connected to the breaker itself now all I have to do is figure out what a hot neutral reverse is.
Sounds like you need to find out a local electrician's number, first.
Can you add more outlets to the GFI like an outlet from the garage one from that washing machine
I have 2 hot wires currently into one breaker . Will this combo breaker be able to have 2 hot and 2 neutral lines screwed in. There only seems to be one side that I can slide wires into . Can I just slide both wires into the same hole ?
very good explanation thank you
If I install gfci breaker..outlets can be regular outlet or needs to be gfci??
Yes sir! CM
Hi, did you end up connecting your bare wire cable as well since maybe I didn't see you installing it. Please clarify. Thanks. Great video!
Thanks, Craig!
Hey man been subscribed for awhile love your videos they're very helpful. Can you by any chance make a video on 3 way switch loop and 4 way switch loops?
I wired according to the diagram and your instructions and my neutral line has power. Could the breaker be faulty?
I have a question, do I have to put the breaker to the main breaker box out side or can I install the breaker inside the house on the sub panel.
I built my house about 25 years ago before these things were around but over the last 10 years I've added a few circuits to my house including a sub panel for an AC unit and also wired up a couple other houses where I remodeled the interiors. I did the wiring on them including replacing the main panels but I specifically didn't use these as I had heard horror stories about these things causing nuisance trips and the fact they are about 4 times more expensive than a standard breaker. Are the stories about nuisance trips real and/or have these things been improved where they don't cause issues anymore?
I haven't had any problems. They are definitely sensitive. Any kind of fault will trip it...which is good.
The stories are true but apply to older AFIC technology breakers. AFIC breakers on today's market are markedly improved. HVAC motors may still cause nuisance trips -- but I can't say for sure.
@@portertaylor945 Thanks for the reply. Looks like I can use them now. I hate being the Guinea pig for new technologies
Can a GFCI breaker be installed in the first disconnect panel where neutrals and grounds are bonded?
Want about if we are using a 12/3. Meaning two hot one neutral the neutral will be sharing for two circuits.
Can you please do a video on lighting relay panels.
My master electrician had me install one of these and told me to figure it lol. He later taught me the right way
Hehe your master electrician is pretty cute. What’s his number?
Doesn’t sound dangerous at all
Lmao I had to teach my “master electrician”
Awesome teaching.
Thanks!! Great video.
As you said, It's easy! TYVM
Hi, thanks for the videos. I had a question. I'm building a food truck and a guy on a video mentioned that he has tampered resistant outlets and he says if you use tamper resistant you must use a gfi or use a gfi breaker. Should I use just gfi breakers or use all gfi outlets or use just one gfi outlet closest to the breaker to cover the other outlet?
Thanks
GFI protection should be present for any receptacle within 6 ft. of running water (like a sink, shower) in a residence. This protection can be provided either by a GFI outlet or the breaker on that circuit. This is independent of tamper-resistant outlets. TR outlets should now be used in any livable part of a residence. I cannot say what the rules are for a food truck, however.
is it the wire from the room that connect to the breaker
Thanks 🙏🏽
Thank you 😊
I learned a lot!
did I miss what happens to the ground in the new circuit you installed? Or did you b=not address that?
Ground stays at the ground bar. It's just hot and neutral.
Honestly, even turning off the main breaker doesn't mean the panel is 100% safe. If you are nervous working in a panel, call an electrician. It might cost more money but it will be done right and safely. Good video though. Very descriptive about how the breakers work.
I installed a 20 amp GFCI breaker following your instructions and it won’t turn on. All it does is trip when move the switch to the on position.
It is tripping because something is causing it to trip, like a receptacle that is shorting out.. That is the purpose of the Breaker.. You need to go look at each outlet that this Breaker circuit is connected to, and make sure each outlet is working correctly.
Then, if all the outlets are working correctly, I would move this Breaker over to another circuit that you know is working ok and test it there..
If it fails to work there, then the Breaker is defective and you have to take it back..
That tells you that it detects a fault in your circuit. Check all your receptacles that line runs. I had the same problem like you and found 2 outlets were burned on the back, causing a short.
Thanks, very good job.
in replacing a non gfci breaker with a gfci breaker you say you need the neutral wire from the same circuit, how do you find the right neutral in a breaker box with so many other neutral wires
In modern electric cable like NM 12/2 the wires are bundled together. Trace the subject hot wire back to where the cable enters the panel to find its corresponding neutral wire. My house predates modern cable, so I could not do this. Here is what I did. WITH THE POWER TO THE PANEL OFF, measure the resistance between the circuit's hot wire and a candidate neutral. Each neutral must be disconnected from the neutral bar. If you leave the hot connected to the breaker, ensure the breaker is OFF. The resistance between the hot wire and its corresponding neutral will be low to zero; the others will be infinite (unless you unfortunately have a shared neutral). I did construct a plug with the hot/neutral shorted & plugged that into an outlet on the circuit to ensure a low resistance -- WITH THE POWER OFF. Tip to the wise: remember to remove the shunted plug before reapplying the power. :-)