GFCI help...please!

icedgxe · 07-03-2008, 09:58 AM

Some backround info. About two weeks ago I woke up and noticed my rp was off so I went to the garage and realized the whole sump etc was off. I looked and the gfci was tripped. I thought that was weird so I reset it and everything was fine. I do have a grounding probe also if anyone is wondering. Anyways, I wake up today to the same thing. Except this time when I try to reset the gfci it trips the circuit breaker. So I unplug both the plugs from the outlets so now there was nothing plugged into the gfci. I turn the breaker back on and try to reset the gci but the same thing happens. It tripped the breaker again. The braker there has the gfci in the garge, two plugs on the outside of the house (nothing plugged in) and the doorbell. I believe that is everything on it.

Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? Faulty gfci?

I was planning on going ahead and swapping the gfci out to see if the problem continued or not. What do you guys think?

MTips18 · 07-03-2008, 10:05 AM

how old is your house? the gfci could be faulty or the breaker could be the problem i have to say if you don't have a circuit tester buy one prior to doing any electrical work they may save your life make sure your ground is hooked up correctly before you buy a new gfci they aren't cheap

Tangster · 07-03-2008, 10:08 AM

Did you remove the ground probe ? and it could be moister in the outside receptacles I have replaced a few dozen from that cause not saying that is it. If you have everything disconnected from all the Receptacles series-ed in on that circuit and it keeps tripping the main breaker there is a dead short to ground somewhere . And it well could be a bad GFI are there any bathrooms on the circuit ? Kitchen counter ?

icedgxe · 07-03-2008, 10:12 AM

The hous is brand new...well it was built this year and we are the first people to live in it. The tanks has been running on it for a couple of months now. There are no bathrooms on the circuit. Just the outside recepticles, the garage recepticle, and doorbell. I have a spare gfci plug lying around that why I was thinking of swapping them out. I will check the outside recpticles for moisture also.

KOgle · 07-03-2008, 10:33 AM

I've heard that if you put a heavy load on a GFCI circuit they can get weak and more or less wear out. Wouldn't think so in a year though...

Sounds to me like you've got a dead short somewhere. I'm no electrcian though. Only know how to fix what I've torn up...

Tangster · 07-03-2008, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icedgxe

The hous is brand new...well it was built this year and we are the first people to live in it. The tanks has been running on it for a couple of months now. There are no bathrooms on the circuit. Just the outside recepticles, the garage recepticle, and doorbell. I have a spare gfci plug lying around that why I was thinking of swapping them out. I will check the outside recpticles for moisture also.

Yes well after 35 yrs of installing the mechanicals in new construction I know what can be found I have spent Hrs finding a staple that nicked the wiring insulation and found a path to ground and out went the very circuit you are dealing with . The Doorbell transformer maybe shorted to ground , I'd try the extra GFI you have won't hurt and it may fix the deal ? GFI are like breakers every time they trip they get a little weaker ..

Yes and also what Kogle mentioned if there is a large amp draw they will heat up and pop off and with how many new house are they will string as many as they can depending on local Codes to keep the cost cheap and you have to watch some have a refrigerator in the Garage or shed and then the tank pumps and lights not knowing all thats on the circuit.

icedgxe · 07-03-2008, 11:24 AM

thanks. I will try the new gfci and see what happens.

R34dawn · 07-03-2008, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icedgxe

thanks. I will try the new gfci and see what happens.

was the outside receptacle hot, or was it dead also?

ReefSparky · 07-03-2008, 04:44 PM

Replacing the GFCI in the garage will determine if that's the culprit receptacle. If replacing it fixes the problem, then that was it--but you didn't need me to tell you that! If the problem remains, try replacing the outdoor receptacles first, one-at-a-time if you're looking to save money. If the bubble covers on the outdoor GFCI's have a leaky gasket, that could be the issue. Water is the worst enemy of the GFCI receptacle.

Only trial and error will answer your question, but if you're feeling sporty (and I mean if you have the requisite experience and common sense to perform this electrical work), you can simply shut the GFCI breaker in the garage, and disconnect the outdoor receptacles on that circuit. If either or any of the outside receptacles are the issue, that'll correct the problem until you feel like replacing the receptacles. If you go this route, be sure to place a wirenut on the ends of the wires you remove from the receptacles to "safe them off."

As Tangster said; if a staple or screw was shorting into the conductors on the affected circuit, it could take time before sufficient rust causes the short to manifest itself.

To review, I'd first replace the suspect GFCI receptacle in the garage hosting the sump and return pump. If that doesn't do it, I'd just take the outdoor GFCI receptacles off-line by simply disconnecting them all. You'll probably have your answer. If not, post again and we'll move on.

Good luck!! Be careful--make sure the circuit is off. Plug a radio or lamp into the receptacles in question to be very sure they're dead before working on them.

icedgxe · 07-03-2008, 08:26 PM

Thanks everyone for their help. I replaced the gfci and nothing changed. I am having an electrician come sat to check everything out and hopefully at the same time add 1-2 more outlets in the garage and run them all on a dedicated breaker.