Where do the hot line and neutral wire connect in a GFI breaker?

In a GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter) breaker, the hot line and neutral wire connect to the breaker itself. This connection is crucial for the GFI to perform its safety function. The breaker monitors the current flowing through the hot and neutral wires. If it detects an imbalance, which could indicate a ground fault or leakage current, it will trip to prevent electric shock or fire.

The GFI breaker effectively uses this connection to continuously compare the incoming current with the outgoing current. By connecting the wires directly to the breaker, it ensures that both live wires are under the surveillance of the GFI mechanism, allowing for quick detection and tripping in the event of a fault.

The other potential connections listed do not serve this purpose. For example, connecting to the load would imply sending current to devices, while connecting to the ground serves a different function of providing a safe path for fault currents, and connecting to the service panel does not directly involve the GFI's monitoring capabilities. Thus, the correct connection point for proper GFI functionality is at the breaker itself.