GFI outlet splitter?

[ukiltmybrutha]

Hi,

I have a GFI outlet in my garage that is in a convenient spot but I'd like to split it using something like a 6 way wall socket. Further, I don't understand why there is a water resistant GFI outlet located in my garage when all of the others are just standard receptacles.

Can I just throw one of the below onto the GFI outlet for simplicity? I like to keep it simple. I could run 2 surge protectors but there are times where that can be messy and this can be one of them. I would think that I can't get away with that type of splitter because it will stomp on the outlet buttons and cause more issues.

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Maybe I should just put a normal non-GFI outlet in it's place considering that even receptacles that are just a few feet away but far enough away where they are not convenient are just standard receptacles anyways or is the single GFI outlet just there to meet code maybe?

Thanks.

 

[Terry D]

Hi,

I have a GFI outlet in my garage that is in a convenient spot but I'd like to split it using something like a 6 way wall socket. Further, I don't understand why there is a water resistant GFI outlet located in my garage when all of the others are just standard receptacles.

Can I just throw one of the below onto the GFI outlet for simplicity? I like to keep it simple. I could run 2 surge protectors but there are times where that can be messy and this can be one of them. I would think that I can't get away with that type of splitter because it will stomp on the outlet buttons and cause more issues.

Eaton Wiring 125V 6 Outlet Taps, Duplex Receptacle, 15A, White (Eaton Wiring 1146W-SP) | HomElectrical.com

Buy Eaton Wiring 1146W-SP 125V 6 Outlet Taps, Duplex Receptacle, 15A, White on HomElectrical.com. FREE SHIPPING with minimum purchase of $75.

www.homelectrical.com

Maybe I should just put a normal non-GFI outlet in it's place considering that even receptacles that are just a few feet away but far enough away where they are not convenient are just standard GFI receptacles anyways or is the single GFI outlet just there to meet code maybe?

Thanks.

All 120 receptacles in a garage are supposed to be gfci protected. The standard receptacles that you are ralking about possibly are wired off the load side of the gfci, which gives them protection. A quick way to find out is to trip the gfci and see if they go dead . There is nothing wrong about plugging the 6 way adapter into the gfci.

 

[rlitman]

That 6-way adapter is designed to attach directly to a non-decora outlet in lieu of a plate cover, using the screw in the center. I suppose it would work over a decora outlet (GFI or not) if you remove the screw. Lots of people probably do that all the time, though it might actually be a code violation (depending on the manufacturer's instructions).

 

[wssix99]

^ Terry D has a good test.

I would not put a splitter on that GFCI outlet. If it ever trips (this happens every so often), then you have a huge PITA to deal with.

The clean way to address this is to replace your circuit breaker and install a GFCI breaker. Then you can go to regular outlets everywhere and do whatever you want. You could also put a larger surface mount box overtop your current outlet and do the wiring to continue protecting the downstream outlets with a GFCI outlet in that location, but you'd have the box projecting further out of the wall.

 

[alfredeneuman]

I suppose it would work over a decora outlet (GFI or not) if you remove the screw.

I have 1 of these in my living room plugged into a standard receptacle.
It springs right out of the recp. without the screw.

 

[Innovate1]

You say this is a weather resistant GFI and others nearby are standard but then later say the others are standard GFI. Very hard to understand. Are the others GFI or not? I don't know any reason you would need a weather resistant GFI inside. As others have said if you need to have more receptacles you could replace the breaker with a GFCI type and put a regular receptacle in which would have a place for the screw of the 6 way.

 

[ukiltmybrutha]

Hi, the outlet is tamper resistant as well so it is hard to cram the 6 way splitter into the existing outlet. I tried it. To me it is starting to seem like just installing 2 power strips is the easiest and least time consuming option.

I meant to say that the other outlets are non GFI. I think that the others read through that though.

Also, could it be possible that my existing breaker is a GFCI breaker and the last guy didn't know what they were doing?

Construction of the home is pretty new if that is helpful.

How can I tell whether or not the existing breaker is GFCI?

 

[Terry D]

Hi, the outlet is tamper resistant as well so it is hard to cram the 6 way splitter into the existing outlet. I tried it. To me it is starting to seem like just installing 2 power strips is the easiest and least time consuming option.

I meant to say that the other outlets are non GFI. I think that the others read through that though.

Also, could it be possible that my existing breaker is a GFCI breaker and the last guy didn't know what they were doing?

Construction of the home is pretty new if that is helpful.

How can I tell whether or not the existing breaker is GFCI?

A GFCI breaker will have a test button on it

 

[ukiltmybrutha]

A GFCI breaker will have a test button on it

When you say breaker, did you mean Main Breaker or the receptacle? I will go look at my main now just to see.

 

[Terry D]

That 6-way adapter is designed to attach directly to a non-decora outlet in lieu of a plate cover, using the screw in the center. I suppose it would work over a decora outlet (GFI or not) if you remove the screw. Lots of people probably do that all the time, though it might actually be a code violation (depending on the manufacturer's instructions).

I forgot about the screw

 

[Terry D]

When you say breaker, did you mean Main Breaker or the receptacle? I will go look at my main now just to see.

The circuit breaker in your panel feeding the circuit

Siemens 20 Amp 1-Pole Type QPF2 GFCI Circuit Breaker US2:QF120AP - The Home Depot

Siemens Single Pole Type GFCI Circuit Breaker is intended for providing protection against severe electrical shocks. Offers durability.

www.homedepot.com

This is just one brand, yours my look different. But it will have a test button on it.

 

[ukiltmybrutha]

I forgot about the screw

Yep, that annoying screw that does not even have a center hole on this outlet.

Pics to follow.

 

[ukiltmybrutha]

The circuit breaker in your panel feeding the circuit

Siemens 20 Amp 1-Pole Type QPF2 GFCI Circuit Breaker US2:QF120AP - The Home Depot

Siemens Single Pole Type GFCI Circuit Breaker is intended for providing protection against severe electrical shocks. Offers durability.

www.homedepot.com

This is just one brand, yours my look different. But it will have a test button on it.

Thanks, pics coming. I can see that the individual breakers DO have test buttons on some of them but not all.

 

[ukiltmybrutha]

https://imgur.com/a/fGK9qTv

 

[ukiltmybrutha]

https://imgur.com/a/7pY5liB

 

[ukiltmybrutha]

I think I am starting to understand now. So just replace the single breaker within the box with one that has "test" on it as that is a gfci breaker provided that this circuit is not hooked up to one already?

Thanks for your patience everyone.

 

[Terry D]

Thanks, pics coming. I can see that the individual breakers DO have test buttons on some of them but not all.

You need to identify the breaker for your receptacle in question

 

[ukiltmybrutha]

You need to identify the breaker for your receptacle in question

Boom, that is it.

 

[Innovate1]

Always possible the previous guy didn't know what they were doing but not likely the breaker and the outlet are both GFI. Since the others are non-gfi it is likely the gfi one feeds the others so you have protection of them all. Test that as Terry D has suggested. You could add a GFI breaker in place of the GFI outlet (technically a receptacle but common term is outlet).

 

[Terry D]

Boom, that is it.

So if you are saying the circuit is GFCI protected by a breaker, then the GFCI receptacle is redundant. Replace it with a standard duplex receptacle, then your 6-way adapter will screw in

 

[ukiltmybrutha]

Always possible the previous guy didn't know what they were doing but not likely the breaker and the outlet are both GFI. Since the others are non-gfi it is likely the gfi one feeds the others so you have protection of them all. Test that as Terry D has suggested. You could add a GFI breaker in place of the GFI outlet (technically a receptacle but common term is outlet).

Thank you.

I have made the mistake of doing far worse (well senseless anyways)....I installed a bunch of GFI outlets in series year ago. Every once in a blue moon the power would cut out a few outlets back.

I will try it out and report back.

 

[ukiltmybrutha]

So if you are saying the circuit is GFCI protected by a breaker, then the GFCI receptacle is redundant. Replace it with a standard duplex receptacle, then your 6-way adapter will screw in

No, not what I am saying....I was saying....boom I am tracking on what you are saying. I wish were the case but as you guys mentioned it is unlikely that the last guy messed up!

 

[ukiltmybrutha]

Let me verify and get back. I hope the last guy didn't know what he was doing and double GFCI'd it.

I get the feeling that this outlet was an afterthought...a clever one too technically...just doesn't suit my current needs.

Thanks.

 

[ukiltmybrutha]

The circuit was not GFCI at the breaker. Thanks for guiding me through. I learned alot today!! Appreciated.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Just replace the breaker with a GFCI breaker then. Then replace the GFCI outlet with a standard outlet

 

[rlitman]

I have 1 of these in my living room plugged into a standard receptacle.
It springs right out of the recp. without the screw.

I've seen two types of these grounded 6-way splitters. The usual just has a plug on the back that fits in the upper outlet. The better kind also has a plastic pin that engages with the ground hole of the lower outlet for better retention.

If your outlet is tight, it should hold this well enough, but lots of people have receptacles that are plum worn out. If you put in a hospital grade outlet, it will hold onto that ground pin for dear life. One of these days, I'll probably buy a receptacle tension tester, but in the meantime I just swap them out when they feel less than new.