Strange GFI behavior

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flashlight

Senior Member
Location
NY, NY
Occupation
Electrician, semi-retired
I was awakened in my cabin in the middle of the night by a clicking noise. I thought it was the baseboard heat cooling down, but it wasnt.
It was coming from the GFI receptacle next to the door. The little indicator light was flashing, and it kept clicking as if it detected a current leak.
I tried to reset it but it wouldn't let me. Also at this time I noticed that the LED lights on the Christmas tree were very slightly shimmering. I
turned off the GFI circuit and went back to bed.

When I awoke it was cold and the power to the cabin was all off. There had been an ice storm overnight.
I stoked up the fire to make coffee, and waited. About 3 hours later POCO had restored power. I re-energized circuit
and there were no more problems.

I have not seen a GFI receptacle act like that before. It's a forested area and there are lots of outages during storms, sometimes
one phase goes first, which maybe happened this time. Any ideas about this? I should mention it's pretty much a brand new receptacle.
 
My best guess............ since a GFCI has to latch to set, or power up, I think the loss of power was causing it to act like a contactor that chatters when not pulled in tight.
 
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