Two GFCI, One Circuit

[garrett1812]

I am getting ready to wire some new electric into the garage and have a question on GFCI placement.

I am running 12/3 from the panel into the garage to feed two new 20A circuits. One is intended for some outlets around the garage, plus a light and exterior outlet near a service door. The second circuit is for outlets at the workbench area only.

I would like to have GFCI outlets on both of the circuits. My thought was to place both of these in the same box where the 12/3 comes in, placed it somewhere accessible in the garage, and have all downstream outlets/lights/etc feed off the GFCI outlet load side.

As mentioned I am also adding an exterior outlet. All other exterior outlets in my house are GFCI receptacles. Does this one need to be, since there will be a GFCI earlier in the circuit?

I do not think I can place a GFCI there without it having issues, unless I ran a separate line to it?

Just looking for clarification before I start. Thanks!

 

[alfredeneuman]

Either use a 2 pole GFI circuit breaker, or separate the circuits at the first box and use 2 GFI receptacles.
You'll have to run 12-2 downstream of both of the GFI outlets for the rest of each circuit.

 

[garrett1812]

I already have the breaker (not GFCI) and the GFCI outlet, so I prefer to use these materials.

If I run 12/2 downstream from the GFCI outlet into another GFCI outlet, this will be an issue, correct?

 

[alfredeneuman]

No need to, but it would not be a problem.
You can use regular non-GFI receptacles on the load side (downstream) of the GFI outlet.

 

[garrett1812]

If I did want the second GFCI outlet at the external box, how would I wire it up? Can it just be on the circuit like any other outlet, or do I need a seperate wire from before the first GFCI?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Alfred- hes asking if he can place a GFCI at the exterior outlet location in addition to the one inside.

The answer is yes he can but its unnecessary as the inaide GFCI can protect the exterior outlet.

There is no issue with GFCIs piggy backing but its a waste of money.

If you are going to put in a second GFCI yes i would hook it up to the line side of the first circuit.

 

[pattenp]

Put the 2 GFCI outlets together in first box and then separate the 2 circuits as alfredeneuman suggested.

 

[garrett1812]

Maybe I should clarify, I mean the second GFCI on the circuit (three GFCI total).

 

[pattenp]

All receptacles fed off the load side of the first gfci receptacles are protected. A third gfci is not needed for the outdoor outlet if that outlet is fed from a gfci inside.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Put the 2 GFCI outlets together in first box and then separate the 2 circuits as alfredeneuman suggested.

That has an AFCI breaker so it may confuse the OP

 

[pattenp]

That has an AFCI breaker so it may confuse the OP

Yeah.. probably. To the OP, if it confused you, you don't need to use an AFCI breaker for a garage circuit. At least not now.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

All receptacles fed off the load side of the first gfci receptacles are protected. A third gfci is not needed for the outdoor outlet if that outlet is fed from a gfci inside.

Need to check local codes for that. In my area, all new outside receptacles must be GFCIs, not just GFCI protected. PITA, but there it is.

 

[garrett1812]

No confusion with breaker, thank you.

That is largely what I was wondering, Stevie Ray, if this external outlet needed to be GFCI, and if so how to wire it best.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

No confusion with breaker, thank you.

That is largely what I was wondering, Stevie Ray, if this external outlet needed to be GFCI, and if so how to wire it best.

If your local AHJ has amendments requiring your outside outlets to be GFCIs, then u would connect the wires from the outside outlet to the line aide of the GFCI in the garage.

 

[pattenp]

If your local AHJ has amendments requiring your outside outlets to be GFCIs, then u would connect the wires from the outside outlet to the line aide of the GFCI in the garage.

Beat me to it. I was going to say it makes no sense to protect a GFCI outlet with a GFCI outlet. You should connect on the line side,