This GFIC outlet was wired correctly to the line-side terminals, properly grounded, and nothing was connected to the load-side terminals, but I had to press the trip button to energize the outlet and the reset button to trip it. In my 50-plus years of experience, I have never run across this before. I ended up replacing it, but can someone please explain how this was possible?
GFCI Outlet Issue
- Thread starter Peter3355
- Start date
winnie
Senior Member
- Location
- Springfield, MA, USA
- Occupation
- Electric motor research
As a guess? Someone swapped the black and red buttons when it was assembled at the factory
I thought of that, but they are 2 different sizes. Internally, it's misconfigured somehow...
hbiss
EC, Westchester, New York NEC: 2014
- Location
- Hawthorne, New York NEC: 2014
- Occupation
- EC
Name brand manufacturer or something from online?
-Hal
-Hal
Leviton brand
Funny thing... the test and reset buttons function without any power applied. Definitely an internal malfunction.
curt swartz
Electrical Contractor - San Jose, CA
- Location
- San Jose, CA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Did you buy the GFCI from a supply house, HD or did you get it online? Wondering if its fake?
curt swartz
Electrical Contractor - San Jose, CA
- Location
- San Jose, CA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Just because it says Leviton doesn't mean it is a Leviton. There is a lot of counterfeit stuff being sold online at prices too good to be true.
Fred B
Senior Member
- Location
- Upstate, NY
- Occupation
- Electrician
Seen a cheap SD HOM AFCI that was nothing but a switch, no internal components for overcurrent, short circuit or any other function. Contractor bought it online for $20. Cheap knock offs are coming in for all sorts of items.
I'm going to open this up and take a look inside. Like I mentioned in this thread, the GFCI will mechanically reset and latch in, and when I press the trip button the reset button pops out with it completely disconnected from the power leads. If this is working correctly, you should not be able to reset it.
curt swartz
Electrical Contractor - San Jose, CA
- Location
- San Jose, CA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Can you post some pictures of the device? Also does it have a listing number, E****** ?
It's in my work truck. I will post a pic on Monday
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Electrical Engineer
Check this out... It's old, but stuff can hang out in the supply chain for years, especially if it gets into the surplus market when people are supposed to destroy stuff, but end up selling it out the back door to junkers.
www.ecmweb.com
Another one, 10 years later...
americanbuildersquarterly.com
Judge orders distributor to stop selling counterfeit Leviton products
Responding to the increasing problem of counterfeit electrical products, a Los Angeles Federal Court Judge recently entered a judgment enforcing Little Neck, N.Y.-based Leviton...
www.ecmweb.com
Beware of Knock-Off GFCIs - American Builders Quarterly
Leviton Manufacturing, Meir Y. Blonder, and the ITC are stopping Chinese infringement in the electrical industry
americanbuildersquarterly.com
Attachments
Well that would explain what's going on here. Thanks for that link!Check this out... It's old, but stuff can hang out in the supply chain for years, especially if it gets into the surplus market when people are supposed to destroy stuff, but end up selling it out the back door to junkers.
Another one, 10 years later...Judge orders distributor to stop selling counterfeit Leviton products
Responding to the increasing problem of counterfeit electrical products, a Los Angeles Federal Court Judge recently entered a judgment enforcing Little Neck, N.Y.-based Leviton...
Beware of Knock-Off GFCIs - American Builders Quarterly
Leviton Manufacturing, Meir Y. Blonder, and the ITC are stopping Chinese infringement in the electrical industry
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
Do you have a hammer?
Open it up with whatever finesse you want. I've done more than one autopsy.
Open it up with whatever finesse you want. I've done more than one autopsy.
Fred B
Senior Member
- Location
- Upstate, NY
- Occupation
- Electrician
shouldn't need a hammer, there is little locking tabs on the sides, release and it should open up face for viewing of internals
Is that also true of the fakes?