My dad has a GFI circuit breaker that connects to several outdoor receptacles. He had an electrician out and he recommended replacing all of the plugs with GFCI plugs. Assuming the circuit breaker is working (my dad said the electrician tested it and it was ) is this necessary? My understanding is that as long as they are connected properly one will protect all plugs after it. Am I wrong? Or is it different with the circuit breaker. Just incase it helps the house is in Savannah GA and was built in 1986. Thanks Brian
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There are two reasons for doing this.
If it trips you are right at the receptacle to reset it and know why it trips.
The more wiring and more stuff that you have on any one gfic the more possiblity of false tripping.
Specially for outside receptacles where you might be a touch of moisture in them.
I agree. The gcfi's do go bad on a fairly regular basis, including the breakers. The change will make it more user friendly. It's not a need, but I think it's a improvement by design.
I wouldn't change anything. A GFCI breaker in the electrical box is a perfectly fine arrangement. It's what I do by preference, and never have had any problem with false tripping, or any other problem, and I use this arrangement for bathrooms, kitchen, garage, etc.
No need to do it unless the breaker is causing problems such as Bill described (ie, dampness in one outlet taking out the entire string). The single GFCI breaker is just as safe as the multiple GFCI outlets.
I would change all of them if it's affordable. There is no time waster like having to go back inside to trip the stupid GFI in the house so I can finish working.