Two Outlets in One Box
 

I'm upgrading a GFCI-protected single duplex receptacle to a two-gang
box with two duplex receptacles. Since I'm not familiar with the ins
and outs of the code, do I need to pigtail the hot lead to each outlet,
or can I simply connect the hot to the first receptacle and feed the
second with a short lead from the other hot terminal on the first
receptacle?

Thanks.

in this case you need to run the second outlet off the gfi or it wont be gfi
protected. i could be wrong, but i believe if you put multiple outlets in a
box with a gfi, they must all be gfi.

the FIRST thing you need to do is read the instructions on the gfi. if its
operation isnt clear to you, hire a pro otherwise there is a good chance you
will not have ANY protected outlets.

randy

wrote in message
oups.com...
I'm upgrading a GFCI-protected single duplex receptacle to a two-gang
box with two duplex receptacles. Since I'm not familiar with the ins
and outs of the code, do I need to pigtail the hot lead to each outlet,
or can I simply connect the hot to the first receptacle and feed the
second with a short lead from the other hot terminal on the first
receptacle?

Thanks.

I understand how the GFCI works and how it should be wired, but in this
case, it's unimportant. The existing receptacle to be expanded to two
is downstream from the GFCI and protected by it.

My question is, when I install the two-gang box and the second
receptacle, do I need to pigtail the hot feeds to both outlets or can I
wire them in series (i.e. the hot/neutral from one receptacle feeds the
second receptacle)?

On 1/3/2005 10:59 AM US(ET), bakerguy took fingers to keys, and typed
the following:

I understand how the GFCI works and how it should be wired, but in this
case, it's unimportant. The existing receptacle to be expanded to two
is downstream from the GFCI and protected by it.

My question is, when I install the two-gang box and the second
receptacle, do I need to pigtail the hot feeds to both outlets or can I
wire them in series (i.e. the hot/neutral from one receptacle feeds the
second receptacle)?


Don't know if it is code, but I would just connect the hot to hot, and
neutral to neutral (plus ground), from one outlet to the other. I don't
see how using a pigtail would be any different, other than using more
space in the box (for wire nuts). You're just making the same
connections at a different location.

--
Bill

You can do it either way. However, I prefer the pigtails. If the wires
were to become loose on one receptacle, it would have no effect on the
other.

John Grabowski
http://www.mrelectrician.tv



"bakerguy" wrote in message
oups.com...
I understand how the GFCI works and how it should be wired, but in this
case, it's unimportant. The existing receptacle to be expanded to two
is downstream from the GFCI and protected by it.

My question is, when I install the two-gang box and the second
receptacle, do I need to pigtail the hot feeds to both outlets or can I
wire them in series (i.e. the hot/neutral from one receptacle feeds the
second receptacle)?

wrote in message
oups.com...
I'm upgrading a GFCI-protected single duplex receptacle to a two-gang
box with two duplex receptacles. Since I'm not familiar with the ins
and outs of the code, do I need to pigtail the hot lead to each outlet,
or can I simply connect the hot to the first receptacle and feed the
second with a short lead from the other hot terminal on the first
receptacle?

Thanks.

I always pig-tail. That way if the 39 cent outlet craps I only loose one
device.

39 cent used as example only.

I do not know if it is code to pig-tail. I do not do much residential work
so it may be something that I have gotten used to reading specs and such
over the years.

I'm upgrading a GFCI-protected single duplex receptacle to a two-gang box
with two duplex receptacles.

Be sure to get the biggest box (deepest) that you can. The bruised knuckles you
save will make it worthwhile. HTH

Joe

"bakerguy" wrote in message
oups.com...
I understand how the GFCI works and how it should be wired, but in this
case, it's unimportant. The existing receptacle to be expanded to two
is downstream from the GFCI and protected by it.

My question is, when I install the two-gang box and the second
receptacle, do I need to pigtail the hot feeds to both outlets or can I
wire them in series (i.e. the hot/neutral from one receptacle feeds the
second receptacle)?

ya ok. when i first read it i thought you were going to pigtail the gfi and
the other outlet seperately.

i personally think the pigtail method was easier to install, and as was
mentioned by someone else, less likely to create multiple failures. in my
area either method will pass inspection. your mileage may vary.

randy

From: "xrongor"



in this case you need to run the second outlet off the gfi or it wont be gfi
protected. i could be wrong, but i believe if you put multiple outlets in a
box with a gfi, they must all be gfi.

the FIRST thing you need to do is read the instructions on the gfi. if its
operation isnt clear to you, hire a pro otherwise there is a good chance you
will not have ANY protected outlets.

randy

wrote in message
roups.com...
I'm upgrading a GFCI-protected single duplex receptacle to a two-gang
box with two duplex receptacles. Since I'm not familiar with the ins
and outs of the code, do I need to pigtail the hot lead to each outlet,
or can I simply connect the hot to the first receptacle and feed the
second with a short lead from the other hot terminal on the first
receptacle?

Thanks.


If the GFCI is one of the 2 receptacles, then you connect the 2nd regular
duplex to the "load" terminals of the GFCI receptacle.

If the GFCI is located elsewhere upstream, and these 2 duplexes are simply
protected by the GFCI, then it doesn't matter which method, either pigtailing
or daisy-chaining, you use.

Thanks for the input, all. I just finished the job and ended up wiring
one outlet to the other because of the space concerns. I also talked
to a buddy of mine that does this kind of work here and either will
pass inspection.

The one question I forgot to ask: since it's a 20-amp kitchen circuit,
did I need to use the 20-amp receptacles (i.e. is it code)? When I got
home from the box store, I realized that the rest of the outlets on the
two 20-amp kitchen circuits are all 15-amps, including the GFCI's,
although looking closely, they say they're 20-amp pass-through. What
does NEC say?