How to Install a Circuit Breaker on a Small Appliance
Small appliances simply plug into an outlet without the need of additional equipment or special connections. There are three types of ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) which include the GFI outlet, the portable GFI or the GFI circuit breaker. For small appliances, the only type of circuit breaker you need to install is the GFI outlet. Although it is not difficult to install, follow the instructions and testing exactly as intended in order to ensure it is working properly.
Instructions
- 1 Shut off the circuit you are installing the GFCI breaker on from the breaker box. If you do not have a breaker box but use a fuse box instead, remove the relative fuse completely.
2 Confirm the correct circuit is shut off by using a circuit tester. The circuit is still on when the tester is glowing, and you need to determine the correct circuit or fuse to turn off or remove.
3 Remove the existing receptacle plate and the receptacle itself by unscrewing the two screws on the plate and the screws that are securing the receptacle to the workbox.
4 Disconnect the wires from the receptacle, ensuring you know which two wires are running from the breaker box. If you only have two wires in addition to the ground wire, the outlet is at the end and those are the only two wires you need to pay attention to. However, if the outlet is not at the end of the wiring, you will have four wires in addition to two ground wires. If this is the case, turn the breaker on and test the wires to see which two are coming from the breaker box.
5 Attach the white and black (neutral and active) wires that are coming from the breaker box to the replacement GFCI outlet on the two "LINE" terminals. When you are connecting the wires, wrap each wire in a clockwise direction around the screw. Wrap the additional two wires (if you have them) to the other receptacles in a clockwise direction around the screw.
6 Attach the ground wire(s) to the GFCI outlet's grounding terminal.
7 Cover the screw heads on both sides by wrapping the GFCI outlet with electrical tape.
8 Insert the wires, bending them in a zigzag formation before placing them in the workbox and place the GFCI outlet into position. Tighten the screws to secure the outlet in its place, ensuring that the outlet is straight.
9 Screw on the new plate onto the receptacle and turn the breaker back on.
10 Test the outlet. To do this, press the "TEST" button followed by the "RESET" button and test the circuit with the circuit tester. If you installed the outlet in the middle of a series, you will need to test the other outlets on that series to ensure they are working.
