GE 51960 GE Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter Quick Start Manual

GE Accessories Quick Start Manual - 51960 GE Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter.
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1. What is a GFCI?

A GFCI receptacle is different from  
conventional receptacles. In the event of  
a ground fault, a GFCI will trip and  
quickly stop the flow of electricity to  
prevent serious injury.

Definition of a ground fault: 
Instead of following its normal safe  
path, electricity passes through a  
person’s body to reach the ground.  For 
example, a defective appliance can cause  
a ground fault.

A GFCI receptacle does NOT protect  
against circuit overloads, short circuits,  
or shocks.  For example, you can still be 
shocked if you touch bare wires while 
standing on a non-conducting surface,  
such as a wood floor.

3. Should you install it?

Installing a GFCI receptacle can be  
more complicated than installing a  
conventional receptacle. 

Make sure that you:

• Understand basic wiring principles  
    and techniques

• Can interpret wiring diagrams

• Have circuit wiring experience

• Are prepared to take a few minutes to
    test your work, making sure that you
    have wired the GFCI receptacle 
    correctly

4. LINE vs. LOAD

A cable consists of 2 or 3 wires.

LINE cable: 
Delivers power from the service panel 
(breaker panel or fuse box) to the GFCI. If 
there is only one cable entering the  
electrical box, it is the LINE cable. This cable 
should be connected to the GFCI's LINE 
terminals only. 

LOAD cable: 
Delivers power from the GFCI to another 
receptacle in the circuit. This cable should be 
connected to the GFCI's LOAD terminals only. 
The LOAD terminals are under the  
yellow sticker. Do 

NOT remove the sticker at 

this time.

5. Turn the power OFF

Plug an electrical device, such as a lamp  
or radio, into the receptacle on which you  
are working.  Turn the lamp or radio 

ON.  

Then, go to the service panel. Find the 
breaker or fuse that protects that receptacle. 
Place the breaker in the OFF position or 
completely remove the fuse. The lamp or 
radio must turn OFF.

6. Identify cables/wires
Important: 

DO NOT install the GFCI receptacle in an 
electrical box containing (a) more than 4 
wires (not including the grounding wires) 
or (b) cables with more than two wires (not 
including the grounding wire). Contact a 
qualified electrician if either (a) or (b) is true.

If you are replacing an old receptacle, 
pull it out of the electrical box without 
disconnecting the wires. 

• If you see one cable (2-3 wires), it is the LINE 
cable.  The receptacle is probably in position 
C (see diagram to the right). Remove the 
receptacle and go to step 7A. 

• If you see two cables (4-6 wires), the 
receptacle is probably in position A or B (see
diagram to the right). Follow steps a-e of the 
procedure to the right.

 

Procedure: box with two cables (4-6 wires) 

(a) Detach one cable’s white and hot wires 
from the receptacle and cap each one 
separately with a wire connector.  Make sure 
that they are from the same cable.

(b) Re-install the receptacle in the electrical 
box, attach the faceplate, then turn the 
power ON at the service panel.  

(c) Determine if power is flowing to the 
receptacle by plugging a lamp or radio into it.  
If so, the capped wires are the LOAD wires.  If 
not, the capped wires are the LINE wires. 

(d) Turn the power OFF at the service panel, 
label the LINE and LOAD wires, then remove 
the receptacle. 

(e) Go to step 7B.

2. The GFCI's features

 • To prevent severe shock or electrocu-

    tion, always turn the power OFF at the

    service panel before working with

    wiring.

 • Use this GFCI receptacle with copper

    or copper-clad wire.  Do not use it with

    aluminum wire.

 • Do not install this GFCI receptacle on a

    circuit that powers life support equip-

    ment because if the GFCI trips it will

    shut down the equipment.

 • For installation in wet locations,

    protect the GFCI receptacle with a

    weatherproof cover that will keep both

    the receptacle and any plugs dry.

 • Must be installed in accordance with

    national and local electrical codes.

               CAUTION

Next, plug in and turn ON the lamp or radio 
at the receptacle’s other outlet to make 
sure the power is OFF at both outlets.  If the 
power is not OFF, 

STOP WORK and call an 

electrician to complete the installation.

Placement in circuit:  
The GFCI’s place in the circuit determines 
if it protects other receptacles in the 
circuit.

Sample circuit:

Placing the GFCI in position A will also 
provide protection to “load side”  
receptacles B and C. On the other hand, 
placing the GFCI in position C will not 
provide protection to receptacles A or B. 
Remember that receptacles A, B, and C 
can be in different rooms.

BACK VIEW

FRONT VIEW

Grounding Terminal (Green):

Connection for bare

copper or green wire

Screw (terminal) colors:
Green = grounding terminal
Silver  = white terminals
Brass   = hot terminals

LINE

Hot terminal (Brass):

Connection for the

LINE cable's  

black wire

LOAD

Hot terminal (Brass):

Connection for the

LOAD cable's  

black wire.

A yellow sticker

covers the LOAD

terminals.  Do not

remove the sticker  

at this time.

LINE

White terminal (Silver):

Connection for the LINE

cable's white wire

LOAD

White terminal (Silver):

Connection for the  

LOAD cable's white wire

Please read this leaflet  completely 

before getting started.

Installing and

Testing a GFCI

Receptacle

Ground Fault Receptacle 
GE Model GFR5263

!

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