3-Way Switched GFCI Outlet

[hayes369]

I'm in the process of wiring my new detached garage. I will have a centrally located fan/light, but for the remainder of the lighting I will be relying on linkable 4' LED lights powered by 6 separate outlets in the ceiling (3 on each side of the garage).

The plan was to run 12/2 from the breaker to the first 3-way switch at the east door, 12/3 to the second 3-way switch at the north door, and 12/2 to the first of the 6 outlets. The first outlet would be GFCI to provide "downstream" GFCI protection as required (operating under the 2017 NEC in MN).

My question is - will the use of 3-way switches cause a power imbalance which will trip the GFCI?

Alternatively, if anyone has a better idea I'm all ears

 

[rlwhitetr3b]

So you want your outlets to be switch controlled? I would not think the switches would cause any problems with the GFCI. It will be looking down stream.

 

[AntonLargiader]

Someone once mentioned GFCIs that boot up in the tripped state after power cycle. That would be a no-go for a switched outlet. In fact I just cycled power to my garage to remove a switch and when I turned it back on again the GFCI was off. But we had a power outage yesterday which didn't affect it.

 

[exranger06]

The switches won't have any effect on the GFCI. It can't tell the difference between a single switch or a pair of 3-way switches. Either way, the hot leg that connects to the GFCI will be hot when you want it to be on, and not hot when you want it to be off. No difference.

But there are a couple other ways to do this: you can install a GFCI outlet before the switch, or a "dead-front" GFCI before the switch. That way everything will be GFCI protected, but the GFCI will not be switched. Or you can simply use a GFCI breaker.

 

[teamextreme]

FYI, if you're putting all these outlets on the ceiling for lights, you can't have a GFI on the ceiling, it has to be accessible without getting on a ladder. I would run to a GFI recep next to the switch box, then run to the ceiling outlets.

And, no, the 3-ways won't cause any issues with the GFI.

 

[hayes369]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I will proceed with a GFCI on the wall to ensure its accessible.

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