Install a GFI outlet through garage wall to outdoors?

Question

My breaker box (fuse box) is on an exterior wall of the garage.  I want to install both an inside AND and outside outlet on that wall.

1) How to add a circut to the breaker box
2) How many outlets can I put on that circut?  Can both new outlets be GFI protected?  (One box facing inside, one facing outside)
3) Do I cut the exterior wall from the inside or the outside? (How?)

I've done some basic wiring, outlets, installed fans, fixed lamps, etc. but nothing that involved bringing NEW wire from the box to the outlet site.

jmarvelous1943 · Accepted Answer

First if you have not added a circuit to a circuit box or installed a new circuit breaker I would not mess with it.  I would hire a qualified electrician.

But....
1.  Determine if you have room in the circuit box to add another branch circuit.
2.  If you do have room and can add another branch circuit you can do it one of two ways...
A.   Purchase a GFCI circuit breaker and then add regular outlets.  Each outlet will be protected.
B.   Install a regular 20 Amp Circuit breaker using 12 GA wire with ground feed the first outlet which will be a GFCI outlet.  Connect the wires to the line side of the GFCI outlet.  Connect more wire from the load side of the GFCI outlet to the outside standard type outlet.  
On the outside make sure you use weather tite outlet enclosures and covers.  Something approved for exterior use.
Quantity of the outlets are generally governed by the load you expect to put on the line.  12 Ga wire will handle 20 amps and you should have a 20 amp circuit breaker.  If you plan on using power tools, I wouldn't put more than two or three on the circuit.  
The hole should be cut from the side you will be able to work most effeciently from and maintain a good crisp clean cut.  When cutting make sure you cut where you can fasten the outlet box securely to the framing.
Just a reminder that the electrical work should be inspected by a State and/or Locally approved agency.

magaly · Answer

I assume that you have the hot wire hooked to the gold or brass colored screw, the white to the silver screw, and the ground to the green. If so, once you turn on the power, it should work. I'm a little curious about what you say about the line and load. Right now, there should only be three wires hooked up and they should be on the line side, not the load side. If you have wires hooked up to the load side that don't go anywhere, this could be where your ground fault is. I'll assume though that you have it wired correctly. Since you have checked the circuit with a standard outlet, I would tend to lean towards the GFCI outlet being defective. Despite the outrageous cost, they are not very durably made. Instead of buying an expensive meter to test for ground faults take the GFCI back to where you bought it for an exchange. If the new one still doesn't work, then you likely have a ground fault. A standard outlet could possibly work even in the presence of a ground fault if the "leak" is small enough. Now is where you have choices. You can buy a meter that you may never use again or you can hire an electrician to track down the problem and fix it correctly according the NEC and all local reqs.

Anonymous · Answer

no gfi  is needed,  all you need is a covered box, water proof one.  just run your wire, to the wall, and install the box, should be grey in color ,
  if you have some space on your box,  black to the left , and white on the ground bar.
  combo box, i would recommend a pig tail, just join all the box together , 
  if you use a 20 amp breaker,  you can only use , say a saw,and a light ,  nothing more ,
  and cut from the out side , then measure , the inside to match it , 
      if your un sure , please call a pro in ,to handle this  ok

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Install a GFI outlet through garage wall to outdoors?

3 Answers