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anyone else find wiring a gfci outlet harder than it looks?

I need to wire a gfci outlet and every video makes it look easier than it is. I'd rather not call someone out if it's a ten minute job. What's the step i'm getting wrong? Happy to add photos if it helps.
wire gfci outlet
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ratan_fixit Nov 05, 2026
jain.norton
The step everyone gets wrong is LINE vs LOAD. Line is the incoming power, the cable coming from the panel. Load is only for feeding other outlets downstream. Swap them and the outlet either won't reset or won't protect anything downstream. Power off at the breaker and test the wires with a tester before you touch anything. If you're just replacing a single outlet, just use the LINE terminals. Hot to brass, neutral to silver, ground to green. If there are more cables in the box than you expected, that's when I'd call an electrician.
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