I've noticed in a house I've recently been working in that almost all of the GFCI receptacles in the house will not reset, yet they still have power. The homeowner called me the other day and said that the GFCI receptacle I recently installed near the Hot Tub Disconnect is no longer working and will not reset either. What would make all the GFCI's in a house fail? The GEC and Neutrals seem to be in tact. All from the one main panel.
Multiple GFCI failure
- Thread starter ELN71
- Start date
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ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
I agree, lightning is the first thought, next is the bad neutral. Ck your voltages. L-L, L-N, L-G, N-G
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Line conductors connected to load terminals?
You did not state if they had worked previously.
Also, immediate tripping is not the same as not resetting.
You did not state if they had worked previously.
Also, immediate tripping is not the same as not resetting.
mdshunk
Senior Member
- Location
- Right here.
Previous generations of GFCI's did not have to deny power to the face of the device if the electronics failed. Now, they are required to deny power to the face if there's an electronics problem. I regularly find old GFCI's that are in the tripped position and will not reset, but the face of the device is still how. I chalk most of these up to end of life failure, because most of them are older than 10 years, in my estimation. Might have taken a spike over the years too. Who knows.
What's odd about this instance is that it's every GFCI in the home. If they're wired properly, I'd bet on a lightning strike at some point. When I find them failed, maybe two at a single home, max.
What's odd about this instance is that it's every GFCI in the home. If they're wired properly, I'd bet on a lightning strike at some point. When I find them failed, maybe two at a single home, max.
notasinger
New member
I have a string of outside outlets, each with a GFCI, and not of the outlets loose power to the face when the test button is pushed. I am using a Fluke Voltalert to sense electricity at the outlet. I find it hard to believe that all 8 exterior outlets are bad. They are seldom used. Is this a wiring issue or can they all be bad. The building is less than 5-years old.
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
notasinger said:
Use a meter or tester that actually makes contact. Your Voltalert may may just be sensing the voltage that is available on the line side of the device. Plug a known working load into the device then trip or reset the device.
Me too.
Me too.
I have seen this too where the receptacles were replaced with GFCI devices the light indicated that the receptacle had power but with the new GFCI devices the led indicated power however the line side was under the load terminals the device still saw power only from the wrong side just a reverse of the line and load solved the problem the trouble was the led was on so everyone assumed it was ok untill they went to use it and could not re-set it the new devices come tripped out of the box and need to be re-set before use this was never done and assumed because the led was on the device was ok, however the power line circuit was wired to the load receptacle....
Me too.
I have seen this too where the receptacles were replaced with GFCI devices the light indicated that the receptacle had power but with the new GFCI devices the led indicated power however the line side was under the load terminals the device still saw power only from the wrong side just a reverse of the line and load solved the problem the trouble was the led was on so everyone assumed it was ok untill they went to use it and could not re-set it the new devices come tripped out of the box and need to be re-set before use this was never done and assumed because the led was on the device was ok, however the power line circuit was wired to the load receptacle....
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Mike01 said:
Some GFCI receptacles have the LED on when they're set, and some have the LED on when they trip.
Pierre C Belarge
Senior Member
- Location
- Westchester County, New York
If all of the GFCI devices seem to have failed at the same time, some "event" has occurred.
1. Are the GFCI devices of the newer (July of last July) standard?
2. Are the GFCI devices of the older (prior to last July) standard?
3. Is there damage to any other electronic equipment in the dwelling?
4. As with any trouble shooting, ask the client questions...sometimes the questions can lead you right to your answer.
1. Are the GFCI devices of the newer (July of last July) standard?
2. Are the GFCI devices of the older (prior to last July) standard?
3. Is there damage to any other electronic equipment in the dwelling?
4. As with any trouble shooting, ask the client questions...sometimes the questions can lead you right to your answer.
jsharvey
Member
- Location
- Mayetta Ks
Faulty GFCI
Faulty GFCI
Just my .02 cents, but at my previous emplyment we had a batch of bad GFCI's come through. Reputable manufacturer, some were made in Korea some were made in china i believe it was, anyone from one country they were junk, from the other they worked great. Thats been about a year ago but that doesnt mean there still couldnt be some out there.
J.S. Harvey
Faulty GFCI
Just my .02 cents, but at my previous emplyment we had a batch of bad GFCI's come through. Reputable manufacturer, some were made in Korea some were made in china i believe it was, anyone from one country they were junk, from the other they worked great. Thats been about a year ago but that doesnt mean there still couldnt be some out there.
J.S. Harvey
- Status