Is it smarter to use GFCI breakers or individual GFCI receptacles in a basement finish?

I just finished wiring a basement in a 1950s house near Pittsburgh and the inspector flagged me for not using GFCI breakers on the whole circuit, even though I had GFCI outlets at the first location. My usual method has been one GFCI receptacle protecting the downstream outlets, but a coworker insists that a breaker in the panel is safer and easier for future work. What do you all usually do when you have to protect multiple basement outlets and lights on the same circuit?

2 comments

2 Comments

claire_butler128d ago

Hang on, did you say you had lights on a GFCI protected circuit? That's actually something you want to be careful about. Arc fault breakers are required for most living area circuits now, but a GFCI outlet tripping from a small light fixture or a motor can knock out all your lights in the basement. I think the coworker might be right about the breaker being easier for future work, especially if the panel is in the basement and easy to get to. But for lights, I'd keep them on their own circuit with an AFCI breaker, not a GFCI. That way a tripped outlet from a dehumidifier or washer doesn't leave you in the dark fumbling for the panel.

oscarb7128d ago

That thing about the inspector flagging you for not using GFCI breakers on the whole circuit sounds like a local code thing, because most places let you use the first receptacle if it's labeled. I've done it both ways and honestly, I prefer the outlet method for basements. Breakers are nice if you've got a wet floor situation or the panel is right there, but they cost more and if one trips you're stumbling around in the dark trying to find the panel instead of just pressing a button right where the problem is. The coworker's right that a breaker makes future work easier since you don't have to fish for the first outlet in the chain, but for a basement finish where you've got a mix of lights and outlets, I'd rather keep the lights on a separate circuit without GFCI so a tripped outlet doesn't kill the whole room. Just make sure you label the outlet cover "GFCI Protected Outlets" so the next guy isn't cussing you out.