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When the test button is pressed on a gfci outlet it sparks and trips two breakers in the main panel What could be the problem?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
The test button should only trip the GFCI. The fact that it is tripping two breakers indicates that somehow both breakers are feeding your GFCI circuit. I have seen this when there was a wiring error and two circuits were joined in an outlet that was connected to a breaker and through the GFCI outlet.
To troubleshoot determine which outlets are effected when both breakers are off. Pull outlet from box and if there are two feeds remove one from outlet and run a toner on wire left on outlet to panel and one off outlet to panel. The GFCI could block the toner so if one side of the outlet does not tone back to panel check at GFCI. There must be two paths to your electric panel for the two breakers to trip and the GFCI may be faulty as well.
Another way to check is to have the GFCI reset and both breakers on. Check each outlet that you have identified as being on GFCI noting that they can be in different rooms. With all outlets working turn off one of the tripped breakers. See if any outlets so off. If not turn off the other breaker and turn on the first breaker. If power is still present then the outlets are being fed by both breakers.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
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If your wall receptacle has tripped but not at the circuit breaker how can this problem be repaired?
If it's a GFCI receptacle and the button is not resetting then change the GFCI outlet.
Why rooms power goes out all breakers on?
That room is probably fed from an outlet in the next room and the connection is loose. Check the outlets on both sides of the wall between the room loosing power and the room closer to the panel. Quick test, when it goes out, slap the wall by the outlet on the common wall. That may jiggle the connection and let you know where the problem is.
Why do two separate breakers control the same outlets?
The only time 2 beakers are run to one outlet is if the outlet is 240V. The breakers should have handle-ties connected to them to ensure that both breakers trip in the event of an overload. Nope its not 240 either,cause it continues to other outlets the same way.and can plug 110 accesories into them. I have come accross this everywhere. In rooms without a ceiling light, one half of a duplex receptacle is a switched lighting circuit and the other is a always on receptacle.
How do you install and wire a dryer outlet if there is no room for a new 30 amp breaker?
If your breaker box will accept tandom breakers you can remove 4 single pole breakers add 2 tandoms this will empty 2 spaces for your 2 pole 30 amp for the dryer
What happens when you push the test button on a outlet?
It safely grounds or faults the GFCI outlet. You're supposed to check/test them once a month, they do wear-out and need replacing.
If your wall receptacle has tripped but not at the circuit breaker how can this problem be repaired?
If it's a GFCI receptacle and the button is not resetting then change the GFCI outlet.
How many outlet for ELECTRIC circuit in a house?
As many as you like but the total current taken is limited by the circuit breakers.
How do you protect electrical energy?
cover it with a rubber tube coatwhile the breakers are all on off if in an outlet to protect from being shocked
How can all breakers be live and outlets not work?
The very first outlet in the circuit has a break, probably where the wires enter the receptacle.
What form of protection is there to avoid a child from inserting any metal into a 110 volts outlet?
Ground fault breakers. There are plastic plugs that go into the outlet and will slow a child down for a while. There are outlet covers that have a rotating circle where the slots for the plug are that you use the plug to turn and then push the plug into the outlet. These have the advantage that when you pull a cord out they automatically rotate to close off the outlet. These can be figured out by a determined child also. GFI breakers or individual GFI outlets is the only way to make sure there isn't going to be an accident.
Why rooms power goes out all breakers on?
That room is probably fed from an outlet in the next room and the connection is loose. Check the outlets on both sides of the wall between the room loosing power and the room closer to the panel. Quick test, when it goes out, slap the wall by the outlet on the common wall. That may jiggle the connection and let you know where the problem is.
The GFCI outlet's reset button does not pop out when the test button is pressed it is already out and when I try to press it in it will not catch although it does have power?
This indicates either you have an active ground fault or the GFCI is bad. To check this out turn off power at breaker and remove GFCI outlet from wall box. Determine if it is powering other non-GFCI outlets. (It will have both input and output wires. If there are output wires remove them and check the outlet again with power and see if it resets. If it does you have a ground fault down the line somewhere. If it still doesn't work you likely have a bad GFCI.
Can you install a flex outlet in the bathroom?
Yes, flex can be used on a bathroom outlet. All code regulations have to be strictly adhered to regarding distances from openings and plumbing fixtures. Bathroom circuits have to be supplied from GFCI breakers.
Should an electrical outlet box protrude or be recessed relative to the wall?
Are you talking about recepticale boxes that you plug a device into or service panel that the breakers are in?
Why do two separate breakers control the same outlets?
The only time 2 beakers are run to one outlet is if the outlet is 240V. The breakers should have handle-ties connected to them to ensure that both breakers trip in the event of an overload. Nope its not 240 either,cause it continues to other outlets the same way.and can plug 110 accesories into them. I have come accross this everywhere. In rooms without a ceiling light, one half of a duplex receptacle is a switched lighting circuit and the other is a always on receptacle.
Why your xbox360 will not turn on?
The xbox might not be correctly connected to a wall outlet. Some consoles have different ways of turning on, also, such as holding the power button, or simply just pressing it, which may be a problem when trying to turn it on. The problem will be not pressing the power button correctly. Make sure that all adapters and connectors are correctly inserted into the xbox 360 and into a good wall outlet. If all the above has been tried, the final resort is to switch wall outlet plug-in spots. Some adapters and connectors work in some outlets perfectly fine, and when plugged into a different outlet, the adapter totally loses the connection and does not function properly in some outlets, which is a rarity, but does happen. If it all still doesn't work, it is an internal problem and must be either serviced or returned.
How do you install and wire a dryer outlet if there is no room for a new 30 amp breaker?
If your breaker box will accept tandom breakers you can remove 4 single pole breakers add 2 tandoms this will empty 2 spaces for your 2 pole 30 amp for the dryer
