The line is the set of wires coming from the panel or power source the load is the wire set leaving the receptacle box to the other downstream receptacles to be controlled by the gfci. Gfci load wiring diagram.

Elegfci
Gfci line load diagram. Ground fault circuit. One pair is marked line and one is marked load. They are connected to the direct main supply. Connecting to the line terminals only results in the outlet providing gfci protection only for that outlet. This way the combo switch outlet light switch and ordinary outlet are not gfci protected. Gfcis have two pairs of screw terminals for connecting wires.
Line and load have special meaning when wiring ground fault circuit interrupter gfci outlets. When it comes to ground fault circuit interrupter or gfci outlets there is always a question as to how to connect the wiresthis is because gfcis have two different sets of terminals. Select either image to enlarge. The line terminals and the load terminals. About wiring to line and load on the receptacle diagram. The gfci receptacle will have line and load areas to attach your wires to.
Also inspect the load side black and white conductors for damage and make sure the ground conductor is not coming into contact with any other screws on the receptacle. The back of these outlets are clearly marked line and load. In the following diagram the above load mentioned before ie. It is important to know which is which before beginning. When you connect only to the line terminals the outlet provides gfci protection only for itself. Power is connected to the gfci line side.
Protected receptacles will be connected to the gfci load side as shown below. Components and devices are connected to the line terminals of gfci ie.