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If the test switch is bad on a gfci will the breaker still work?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
If the test switch is faulty then there is no convenient way to determine if the GFCI is functioning, and technically, if the test switch is faulty, then as it is a part of the GFCI, the GFCI is faulty and should be replaced.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
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Is an outlet plug that says gfci on it but doesn't have a reset button really a gfci outlet?
It depends. It could be improperly installed. Outlets can be GFI protected by using a GFI rated breaker in the main panel box. Look for a breaker in the panel box that has a push to test button on it. Press the push to test button then plug something into the outlet to see if it still works. If the breaker turns off the power then it is GFI protected. To reset it flip the breaker to the fully of position then back to the on position.
Should circuit breaker be exercised?
Just let them be, and remain fat, dumb and happy. The only exception is a GFCI device which has a test button.
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?
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.
Why would a GFCI trip with no load connected?
Are any of the outlets OUTDOORS? If so, and if an outlet is getting wet, it will trip the GFIC immediately. If that's not it, unplug everything, reset the GFI and see what happens. If it still trips, make certain that the wires aren't getting wet somewhere. If THAT'S not helpful, replace the GFI.
Is it safe to use a GFCI outlet that works if the green light stopped working?
If you have any question about the functionality of your GFCI, you should have it replaced. You can certainly verify that the GFCI is still functioning by using the test button, but the light gives added assurance that the circuit is functioning properly.
Is an outlet plug that says gfci on it but doesn't have a reset button really a gfci outlet?
It depends. It could be improperly installed. Outlets can be GFI protected by using a GFI rated breaker in the main panel box. Look for a breaker in the panel box that has a push to test button on it. Press the push to test button then plug something into the outlet to see if it still works. If the breaker turns off the power then it is GFI protected. To reset it flip the breaker to the fully of position then back to the on position.
Should circuit breaker be exercised?
Just let them be, and remain fat, dumb and happy. The only exception is a GFCI device which has a test button.
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.
Getting no power from gfci outlet line?
A GFCI outlet has a TEST and RESET switch. Press reset and see if it fixes problem. If reset won't stay in that means that a ground fault condition is present and may be on another outlet that is fed from the tripped GFCI. If this isn't the problem check the main breaker feeding the GFCI and ensure it isn't tripped. If none of this works the GFCI itself may be bad. If you have a Volt Meter you can remove the outlet from the wall receptacle and make sure there is voltage present. You can also see if there is a branch circuit connected. To troubleshoot you can disconnect the branch circuit and then try reset. If you have voltage on input and GFCI won't reset with branch circuits removed, replace the GFCI.
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?
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.
Why would a GFCI trip with no load connected?
Are any of the outlets OUTDOORS? If so, and if an outlet is getting wet, it will trip the GFIC immediately. If that's not it, unplug everything, reset the GFI and see what happens. If it still trips, make certain that the wires aren't getting wet somewhere. If THAT'S not helpful, replace the GFI.
Is it safe to use a GFCI outlet that works if the green light stopped working?
If you have any question about the functionality of your GFCI, you should have it replaced. You can certainly verify that the GFCI is still functioning by using the test button, but the light gives added assurance that the circuit is functioning properly.
How do you test and reset a GFCI receptacle?
GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interruptor) A GFCI receptacle can be tested with the built-in test button, which will cause a small ground fault, tripping a properly working device. GFCI receptacles should be tested monthly. GFCI receptacles can also be tested with a plug-in type GFCI tester. This tester has a GFCI trip button on it which accomplishes the same thing as the built-in test button. Your local inspector will usually test with this method. If your receptacle is tripped, it should reset by pressing in the reset button. If it doesn't, the device is wired incorrectly, has a faulty load plugged into it, or is simply in need of replacement. ---- IF YOU'RE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.If you do this work yourself, always turn off the powerat the breaker box/fuse panel BEFORE you attempt to do any work AND always use a meter or voltage indicator to insure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.
Can a GFCI receptacle be fed from a switch?
If this question is asking if, by using a GFCI, you can protect some equipment controlled by an existing switch, the answer is Yes. My first guess would be that you probably don't need to. A switch that is controlling lighting in an area with a GFCI, such as a bathroom, should - if it was installed correctly - already be controlling a proper lighting fixture. By this I mean if the fixture is above the shower it will be of a type that is safety-listed 'for use in wet locations'. That type of light fixture does not need to be protected by a GFCI since it is designed for use around water. How to feed a switch from a GFCI: Without GFCI protecting the switch: Connect a hot (usually black) wire from the "LINE" side of the GFCI (which will be marked) to one brass screw of the switch. (Assumption is single pole switch.) Connect another hot wire from the other brass screw of the switch to the light fixture or load's hot wire. Connect a neutral (white or gray) from the LINE side of the GFCI all the way to the load neutral without stopping anywhere. Connect all grounds. To GFCI protect the switch: The procedure is the same except you will use the hot and neutral from the "LOAD" side of the GFCI. This will cause the GFCI to interrupt power should a ground fault occur on the switched load. As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.Before you do any work yourself,on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
How do you wire a 3-wire 240V 15A pump motor to a GFCI receptacle or GFCI breaker?
== == == == Don't know if there are any 240V GFCI receptacles so I vote for a 240V GFCI breaker which would be 2 pole. The pump should have two colored wires and a white. White goes to the neutral bus and the two colored wires go to the two poles of the breaker. As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed. Before you do any work yourself,on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
What should the reading at the light switch be when the switch and the light fixture is removed. I had a dimmer switch on that light it went out I checked the volts at the switch they were about 14?
On the "hot"wire that comes from the breaker panel the voltage should be from 115 to 120 volts. This is taken from the "hot" wire to either the neutral or the ground wire. If its not then you have a breaker problem or you are on the wrong scale of the test meter.
How can you tell if a house has GFCI breakers?
GFCI breakers are required by electrical code for all new and modified residences post 1984.Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters detect extremely small current fluctuations on the return side Neutral / Ground and cause the circuit to trip. Highly important in moist environments.To answer the question: GFCI breakers are required in all bathroom, garage and external outlets. To determine if it is a GFCI there will be a switch in the center typically of the outlet that says set/reset. Multiple outlets in a garage or outside may be wired in parallel and controlled by a GFCI breaker located in the main power panel. Remember use of a non-GFCI outlet in a moist environment is courting trouble and you or someone else may be the recipient.Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz supply service.GFCI breakers are not required. GFCI protection is required and you may choose whether to install GFCI breakers or GFCI receptacles. GFCI breakers, just like GFCI receptacles, will have a Test button. The breaker also will have the neutral attached to it on an appropriate terminal and an additional wire carrying the neutral current to the neutral bar.GFCI protection is required in all bathrooms, garages and other unfinished portions of a house including crawl spaces, unfinished basements, outside, and anywhere within 6 ft of the outside edge of a sink. -- SparkfighterAs always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.Before you do any work yourself,on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
