I have a GFCF outlet that I want changed back to a non-GFCF outlet so that I can plug in a small freezer.?

Question

I am wondering what the going rate for an electrician to perform this service costs. The location is central texas, please let me know a fair rate that i can expect to be charged.

The location for the outlet is in my garage. The GFCF outlet is not the main GFCF, but one outlet on the line. THe main outlet is also in the garage, and the other two outlets on the line are outside wall outlets on the side of my house that I usually use for the weedwacker. I've been told not to use the GFCF outlet for a small freezer because I don't want to lose the meat or food I'd be storing in the freezer. Opinions?

Answer 1

It's NOT that siimple, if the receptacle is controlling other outlets downstream!!!! As an electrician, you should expect to pay between 75.00 & 100.00 for that job. It will only take a couple of minutes, but you dont want other receptacles left unprotected!!! Very dangerous!!!!!

GFCI's WILL TRIP FROM A REFRIGERATOR/FREEZER MOTOR STARTING UP!!!!!!!! HENCE A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN WILL NEVER INSTALL A GFI ON A FREEZER

Answer 2

Hey i'm from Temple! Its a simple change out, just turn off the breaker remove the old GFI and pop in a regular one and re-connect the wires.
But be aware that the GFI outlet is there for a reason- you could be violating city fire code or something. if you know that isn't an issue (and unless the outlet isn't right by a sink or water source) just change it out yourself-theres nothing to it.
it would only take an electrician a minute to do it, but they probably would have a basic fee to show up like 25 or 50
richard is correct that an electrician might not do it if there's any concern about a code violation-as i mentioned. Refrigerators and Freezers often trip GFIs, it doesn't mean there's a problem with the appliance. You could always consider moving the appliance to a different , non-GFI protected location as another option.

Answer 3

Ground fault devices are installed to protect you from electrical shock and possible death. Generally speaking a refrigerator or freezer does not present a significant threat of electrical shock as long as it has not been damaged.

However, when you install things in a garage, you have the additional risk of wet floors and hands because of weather. The GFI outlet might be a good deal if you have children or if there is any water source near(rain or otherwise) the freezer.

If you wan to change it, you can do it yourself relatively easily.

An electrician will charge you two hours of labor, plus the cost of the part. My estimate is $120 if you're lucky.

What you might do, is call around and get an estimate on the phone. If they won't give you an estimate, then you don't want that electrician doing the work.

Answer 4

As at least one other reply asked, why do you want to do this. I suspect that you do not understand that anything you can plug into a regular outlet will work just fine on a GFI outlet. If you want to do it because it keeps setting off the GFI, you are doing something dangerous.

As others have said, the GFI is probably there because the code requires it. There are some parts of the code that I don't agree with because they are too conservative. This is one area where I agree 100%. GFI saves lives. When they malfunction, it is usually a warning that a real problem exists.

Some people bad mouth them saying they get false positives all the time. Sometimes a GFI is defective, but ususally that is actually a device that needs fixing because it is leaking voltage and that is dangerous.

If you tell us why you want to do this, we can give better answers.

Answer 5

Garage Receptacles. All 125-volt,single-phase,15 or 20 ampere receptacles installed in garages and at grade-
level portions of unfinished accessory buildings used for storage or work areas shall have ground-fault circuit
protection for personnel.
Exceptions:1) Receptacles that are not readily accessible.
(Such as garage door closer receptacle)

2) A single receptacle or duplex receptacle
for two appliances located within dedicated space
for each appliance that in normal use is not easily moved
from one place to another,and that is cord and plug
connected.
So,In your garage you can have a non-GFCI recept for
a Refrigerator,Freezer etc. if that space is dedicated
for that appliance. Your problem is that your outside
ones may be on that same line.Look and see if the out side receptacles have there own GFCI outlets.If they are
self contained outlets there is no problem,If they are
marked GFCI (and no test or reset button) then they are
are most likely on your garage circuit.
If you want to check any of these just plug in a lamp and
trip the GFCI in your garage and see what one goes out.
You can trace all your GFCIs that way.
Of course I never recommend anyone do their own
electrical.

Answer 6

You may not be able to get an electrician to change the outlet. If it is in the kitchen or bathroom, most states have residential codes that require a GFI type outlet. So a licensed electrician most times will not replace it. If there is a fire, even 5 years down the road, he or she can be help personally liable.
When you plug the freezer in, is the GFI tripping?

Answer 7

Well, first of all, I don't know why you want to replace the GFCI. The freezer will plug into it just the same as it would a regular outlet. But, if you want to change it, why not do it yourself? It'll cost about a buck and it's easy. The same wires are used for both types outlets and both outlets fit into the same box although you will need a new plate cover. Just turn off the circuit (plug a lamp into it and make sure it goes off if your not sure which circuit breaker controls it), take off the cover, remove the two screws holding the outlet to the box, remove the wires from the old outlet, secure them to the new one (white to silver screws, black to dark or brass screws, green or bare wire to ground screw, the back of the outlet will have this info), secure new outlet to the box, replace cover, turn on breaker switch. Done. You just saved yourself about a seventy dollars.

Answer 8

Lots of good answers here. One thing you need to take into account if you decide to change it out yourself, if there is just one black and one white wire on the GFCI outlet your fine. If there are two black and white wires on it it means that that receptacle is protecting other outlets "downstream" of it.By replacing with a standard outlet you stand the chance that plugs in the bathroom, kitchen, ect. will be unguarded. This is one of the reasons electricians won't break the electrical code. It could cost us our license and a heck of a law suit should someone get hurt.

Answer 9

Heck, the way labor cost today, it may cost $50 just for them to come to your house. But, being that one receptacle that should cover it. You could turn off the Electricity and do it yourself, just a thought.
The link below can help you. Scroll down to the picture of a Wall Plug/Receptacle. White on Left/Silver, Black on Right/Gold and the naked/green to the ground screw.
IF, the wires are plugged into the little holes on back, take a small knife or Stout wire. You will see a little slot by where the wire is, press into this slot and it release the wire.

Answer 10

it's a simple procedure,but gfi's are put in near running water i.e. kitchen sink,batroom sink to shut off current at that point if outlet becomes wet. I'd think about it before changing to a regular outlet. Home Depot has illustrated pages on line. Good Luck.