# Simple electrical q - GFI outlet and a switch **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 15, 2006, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-electrical-q-gfi-outlet-and-a-switch/348476 "2006-03-15T16:52:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-electrical-q-gfi-outlet-and-a-switch/348476/21 "2006-03-16T12:32:59Z")
If the OP doesn’t need an additional countertop outlet, then I think it’s a bad move to install one with a built-in high draw appliance on the same circuit. You’re unnecessarily increasing the chance of overload. Even though you have breakers to protect you, it’s better to wire your house so you don’t overload in the first place. Those of us who have replaced faulty Federal Pacific breaker boxes know that sometimes things don’t work quite as well as they should. The in sink switch is a sweet idea though. ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-electrical-q-gfi-outlet-and-a-switch/348476/22 "2006-03-16T15:08:06Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > Or, if I understand **gotpasswords** post and links correctly, the GFCI isn’t required per se, and protecting the switch is not imperative. If so, I can skip a trip and effort to wire an ‘ordinary’ receptacle, and do as follows: > > **For the cable coming from the circuit panel to the receptacle:** > [ul] > [li] _Green_ wire (ground) to the green terminal on the receptacle (as part of a pigtail)[/li][li] _White_ wire (neutral) to the silver/neutral/line terminal of the GFI receptacle [/li][li] _Black_ wire (hot) spliced (w/ a wire connector) to the white (but marked/flagged as hot) wire going to the switch. This does not connect directly to the receptacle, and the splice sits in the receptacle box. [/li][/ul] > **For the cable connecting the receptacle to the switch:** > [ul] > [li] _Green_ wire (ground) to the green terminal on the switch (continuing from the pigtail connected to the receptacle’s ground terminal)[/li][li] _White_ wire (marked and flagged as hot at both ends) spliced (w/ a wire connector) to the black wire that connects directly to the circuit panel, connected at the other end to a brass terminal on the switch. [/li][li] _Black_ wire connects to the brass/hot/line terminal of the receptacle and connects to a brass terminal of the switch. [/li][/ul] > Again, please excuse my pedantry in this, but my common sense/caution/paranoia wants to be as mollified as possible. > > Thanks, > > Rhythmdvl Good work, spot on. Most people won’t know to use the white as the hot going to the switch and the black as the switch leg. Sounds like the rest of the posters have worked out the legalities concerning the code, so we don’t need to re-hash that stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-electrical-q-gfi-outlet-and-a-switch/348476/23 "2006-03-16T17:05:16Z")
Argh… I’ve seen the air switch and wish I could use it. But unfortunately, the sink doesn’t have a pre-drilled cutout (the only one that’s there is in use) and is made of some sort of composite material—not steel. If it were steel, I’d consider drilling my own, but not knowing the material, I’m wary of cracking it or something in my attempts. (But I must say that the Dremel is looking mighty tempting!) Again, thanks for the help—and thanks for boosting my confidence levels! ---
**Author:** ![Praetor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/58956e/32.png) [@Praetor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Praetor)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-electrical-q-gfi-outlet-and-a-switch/348476/24 "2006-03-16T21:11:19Z")
You can buy ground fault circuit breakers, which would allow you to protect the entire circuit and you don’t need a GFI outlet. This might be a good way to protect the switch without needing to have a GFI outlet before the hot line leading to the switch. Admittedly, GFI circuit breakers are significantly more expensive than regular breakers, so it might not be worth it to go this route. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-electrical-q-gfi-outlet-and-a-switch/348476.md?page=1)