GFCI wiring

**Tom Rees** · 04-09-2013, 01:37 PM

Today's inspection, 1975 house. This is a GFCI breaker for exterior outlets. Could someone explain the short black wire that appears to be some sort of jumper?

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**Gunnar Alquist** · 04-10-2013, 07:26 AM

Sorry Tom,

Other than "it doesn't look right to me", it's not something I have seen before. Looks like the neutral wire is double tapped.

**Tom Rees** · 04-10-2013, 08:07 AM

That's exactly what I thought when I opened the panel, "that just doesn't look right".

**John Kogel** · 04-10-2013, 05:49 PM

I've seen that jumper before, but in white. And I agree, someone has added another neutral. That's a good reason to have an electrician replace the old breaker and straighten out the wiring.

**Speedy Petey** · 04-11-2013, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by John Kogel

I've seen that jumper before, but in white. And I agree, someone has added another neutral. That's a good reason to have an electrician replace the old breaker and straighten out the wiring.

Two wires does not automatically trip the dreaded "double tap" siren.

Many older GFI breakers had tails for both the line and load neutrals. That is the case here.

**Tom Rees** · 04-11-2013, 02:56 PM

By the way the GFCI did trip when tested at breaker and outlets.

**Jim Warters** · 04-12-2013, 01:48 PM

ITE was acquired by Gould in the mid-1970s and Gould / ITE was bought by Siemens about 10 years after that - this breaker is almost 40 years old. See this link for a comment on a similar GFCI jumpered breaker: GFCI circuit breaker - InterNACHI Inspection Forum

Mbrooke · 04-13-2013, 01:01 AM

The breaker doesn't stand out to much for me, the set up looks like a factory makeup. Double tap most likely (but I cant tell for sure) is the normal required branch neutral. The white-black stripe is the factory neutral jumper over to the neutral buss bar.

I would be more concerned about the other breakers, they have an FPE flavor, ie they resemble challenger breakers.

What brand are those red handle breakers and what brand is the panel itself?

**Jim Hintz** · 04-13-2013, 08:51 AM

Breakers - No Difference from Regular Breakers in appearance.jpg

Ran into these yesterday in a 125 Amp Cutler Hammer Panel - never seen them before. Looking how clean and new the stickers look as opposed to the banged-up toggle, I think someone had a "Baby Label Maker" !

**Tom Rees** · 04-13-2013, 10:06 AM

Mbrooke, The inspection was 3 inspections ago but looking back through my pictures I believe panel,and breakers are ITE.

**Speedy Petey** · 04-14-2013, 06:39 AM

Originally Posted by Jim Hintz

Breakers - No Difference from Regular Breakers in appearance.jpg

Ran into these yesterday in a 125 Amp Cutler Hammer Panel - never seen them before. Looking how clean and new the stickers look as opposed to the banged-up toggle, I think someone had a "Baby Label Maker" !

Not sure if you are being serious or not, but those are NOT GFI breakers, and those are the stickers that come with GFI receptacles.

**Rollie Meyers** · 04-14-2013, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by Tom Rees

Mbrooke, The inspection was 3 inspections ago but looking back through my pictures I believe panel,and breakers are ITE.

The panel is not ITE, & the twin breakers look like old style Murray, made before Murray became Crouse-Hinds, my guess is the panel is Murray or Bryant.