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I have a GFCI outlet in my garage which is about 4 feet off the ground. I have a couple work lights plugged into it which can only be turned on and off by plugging/unplugging them. I have recently just been using the "Test" and "Reset" buttons on the GFCI outlet to turn the lights on and off. It's a lot easier than unplugging both plugs and later having to bend down to pick them up off the floor and plug them in again.

Can doing this a couple times a day do any damage to the GFCI outlet or to anything plugged in to it?

Josh Withee
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    I don't have a definitive source, so I'm not posting an answer, but I cannot imagine how one could ever consider using a device in a manner other than for how it was designed and intended would be a good idea. – The Evil Greebo Aug 06 '18 at 17:48
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    @TheEvilGreebo you can’t imagine that at all? Not even a teeny tiny bit? – Josh Withee Aug 06 '18 at 17:55
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    They might not be rated to the same magnitude of switching actions. A GFCI might only be rated for 100 actions over its life (3 times a year for 30 years). Where as a wall switch might be rated for 100000 actions over its life (10 times a day for 30 years) – Dan D. Aug 06 '18 at 17:59
  • @Marathon55 for a safety device such as this? No. It's meant to intervene and prevent an electric overload - not for routine daily use. Buy a flipping switch. – The Evil Greebo Aug 06 '18 at 18:01
  • I understand that GFCI outlets are not intended to be used this way, and I understand that it's possible and may be the case that the GFCI buttons are not sufficiently durable for frequent use. I understand that if that is indeed the situation, I should not use it like a light switch. But that conclusion is built on a premise which is precisely what my question is asking: Is it in fact the case that GFCI outlets are not durable enough for this kind of use? – Josh Withee Aug 06 '18 at 18:33
  • @Marathon55 It is NOT a question of durable. The problem is that a GFCI test/reset mechanism is much more complex than a simple switch. If it were a plain circuit breaker and appropriately rated (I know I have seen that, but don't recall the classification at the moment that means "can be used as a switch") then it would be different. – manassehkatz-Moving 2 Codidact Aug 06 '18 at 21:05
  • Dan D answered that for you. It's not made to do that. But if you don't mind having to replace your GFCI receptacle earlier than normal, then that's up to you. You appear to be looking for absolution from your sins before you commit them and that doesn't even work in religion, let alone engineering... – JRaef Aug 06 '18 at 21:11
  • It is cheap and easy to add a switch in the cord of a lamp. – Jim Stewart Aug 06 '18 at 21:37
  • @TheEvilGreebo becaise lots of people have never rad NEC 110.3, do not appreciate the underlying reasoning, and do not sufficiently fear electricity. Also have seen too many Code compliant installations unaware their good safety comes from careful design. It's like the doctor who knows the amazing safety statistics of commercial flight, buys himself a Bonanza and tailspins because he thinks airplane safety is intrinsic. – Harper - Reinstate Monica Aug 06 '18 at 21:51
  • Possible duplicate of Can a GFCI outlet intentionally and explicitly be used as a switch without violating code? – fixer1234 Aug 10 '18 at 00:08
  • @fixer1234 I do not see this question as being a duplicate because I am asking about the durability of the GFCI outlet and that question is asking if there is a code violation. – Josh Withee Aug 10 '18 at 00:48
  • OK, valid point. I'll retract the vote. It may be worth leaving the comments in place so that others don't do the same thing I did. – fixer1234 Aug 10 '18 at 00:54
  • Using a GFCI mechanism as an on/off switch? Relevant xkcd. – Nat Sep 04 '18 at 02:27

3 Answers3

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Certain GFCI+receptacle devices are rated for this purpose.

Use one of those.

There are GFCI devices whose buttons are specifically labeled Off/Test and On/Reset. The reason the "off" and "on" are there is because these devices are built and rated to be on/off switches using the GFCI function. The difference between these and regular GFCIs is these are made for many, many cycles. However, these are difficult to find (especially on the Web, where plain GFCI results bury them) and you will probably need the assistance of an electrical supply house to locate them. One example is a Leviton 8590-RB, however that's a deadfront and you'd want one with sockets. Leviton calls it a switch-rated GFCI.

enter image description here src

If you're fitting a deadfront GFCI to gain this functionality, just mount a box next to the receptacles and put the GFCI there, using the LOAD terminals on the deadfront to feed the receptacle(s).

Far easier to find is the GFCI+receptacle w/ switch device.

enter image description here src

Typically on these, the switch is two pigtails. The GFCI+receptacle uses all 4 terminals (LINE hot/neutral LOAD hot/neutral) plus ground, of course. In this case you would not use Test/Reset to turn the load on and off, you'd use the switch. The switch and its load can be placed on the LOAD side of the GFCI protection (carefully).

Harper - Reinstate Monica
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Get an Add-on Switch

I 100% agree with all the others who said "don't do this". The good news is that there is an easy solution. Get a outlet/switch designed to plug into another outlet. Something like BindMaster 3 Prong Grounded Single Port Power Adapter with Red Indicator On/Off Switch, 1 Pack. There are plenty of different brands and styles available, including multiple outlets, WiFi remote control and many other options.

Also note that using a GFCI test button as a switch is very different from using an ordinary circuit breaker as a switch. As I understand it, while using an ordinary circuit breaker as an ordinary on/off switch is often not recommended (and in some situations may even be a code violation), there are at least some circuit breakers which ARE designed to be fully capable of frequent switching use. A GFCI test button is quite different - it actually produces a fault equivalent to a dangerous situation (but within the GCFI module so that it is safe to do so) in order to trigger the GFCI circuit. The result if everything works as expected is that the outlet is turned off. But that is a side-effect and NOT the direct result of pressing the test button.

As noted in another answer, there are some GFCI devices that either include an separate On/Off switch or are switch-rated. Those are certainly options as well, though they may be harder to find (i.e., may require going to an electrical supply house rather than Amazon or Home Depot or Lowes).

Community
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manassehkatz-Moving 2 Codidact
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The TEST and RESET bottons on a GFCI outlet are not designed for use as a light switch or load switch. Constant usage as such will stress it's internal mechanism such that it may not function properly when called upon actually in it's ground fault trip mode.

If you want to see for yourself then take apart a GFCI outlet and a light switch and see how much more complex and how many more moving parts there are in the GFCI.

Michael Karas
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