But you’re not always going to be so lucky. Therefore, if a short or overload occurs, not only the GFCI outlet goes bad, but all outlets around it could stop working.īest case scenario: hit that reset button on the GFCI outlet, and it magically starts working again. GFCI outlets are unique outlets that have built-in circuit breaker protection. Exposure to excessive heat, moisture, water, or UV light can cause GFCI outlets to fail over time. In my experience, if your outlets are that old, you should have them tested and inspected. “GFCI outlets typically last 10-15 years. Source: Watch the Full Instructional Video at Home Depot Video Instructions How to Install GFCI Outlet My GFCI outlet is not working?Īccording to Joe O’Connell, the owner of Integrity Electrical Services Turn the power back on and plug in your appliance to test it.Replace the mounting screws and put the cover back on. Push the GFCI outlet into the wall box.Connect the white (neutral) wire to the silver line screw (terminal) and tighten it.Connect the black (hot) wire to the brass screw and tighten it.GFCI outlets have four terminals two labeled “line” and two marked “load.”.Touch each black and white wire using the voltage tester to ensure the tester lights up.Go back into your panel box and turn the power on.Make sure to recognize which wire is coming from the main panel. Spread wires apart (there should be three wires) and use the wire strippers to remove three-quarters of an inch of the insulation (note: green = ground, white = neutral, and black = hot).Remove the outlet from the box and disconnect the wires.Remove the existing wall plate by unscrewing the two screws holding the outlet in place.Use a voltage tester to confirm the power is off.Turn off the power at the circuit breaker inside your panel box.And if it’s a problem related to an overload on the electrical circuit, you could fix the problem by plugging in fewer appliances. Repairing a GFCI outlet is another option that only a licensed electrician should attempt to do. If so, that appliance likely has a ground fault. Unplug each appliance plugged in before the GFCI tripped to verify the last appliance you plugged in is what tripped the GFCI.Troubleshoot the issue by plugging in and turning on each appliance until one trips.Start by unplugging everything connected to that outlet’s circuit.How do you fix a GFCI that keeps tripping? Electrical safety mechanisms, such as a GFCI, act as insurance, protecting manufacturers from getting sued. Luckily they can easily be replaced using the standard 2-Year Limited Warranty for electrical outlets & receptacles.Įlectrical safety is always a top priority when it comes to the way manufacturers build most electrical devices. Faulty GFCI outlets can be due to age or a defective product.In my experience, if your outlets are that old, you should have them tested and inspected.” As Integrity Electrical’s CEO, Joe O’Connell, says below, “GFCI outlets typically last 10-15 years. Malfunctioning, defective, or damaged electrical wiring can result in a tripped GFCI outlet.Overloads can occur from simply plugging too many devices in at once or having too much electrical current running at a given time on a particular circuit. When a GFCI outlet detects an overload, it trips.Moisture in the receptacle box is another common cause of a GFCI outlet tripping.Technically speaking, this current leakage can be caused by a hot wire touching the ground somewhere on the electrical line. If your GFCI detects any current leakage, it trips automatically as a safety precaution.Picture of GFCI Outletĥ Reasons Your Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) Outlets Keeps Tripping Have you ever used the hairdryer near the sink with water in it and thought to yourself, “Would I get an electrical shock if I dropped the hairdryer in the sink?” And then you look over to the wall and notice a weird-looking outlet with a reset button on it. For example, you’ll typically find GFCI outlets in bathrooms, basements, kitchens, laundry rooms, and garages.Īccording to Home Depot: “GFCI protection is required for 125-volt to 250-volt receptacles supplied by single-phase branch circuits rated 150 volts or less to the ground.” GFCI outlets are required anywhere outlets may contact water. GFCI outlets prevent a person from getting electrocuted when water comes in contact with an outlet. The ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is a fast-acting circuit breaker designed to shut off electric power in the event of a ground fault. 5 Common Types of GFCI Outlets What is a GFCI?
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