Warm Receptacle

[mivey]

Directly behind the wall there is attic space that is very hot. So I thought that was my problem. So I tripped the GFCI and it cooled off. When I reset the GFCI it warmed up again. There was no amp draw. Tomorrow I will go to the panel and put the amp meter there. If there is no load there then I will be really miffed.
If there is a load, well, I will to search and search.

The attic space heat would have been my first guess. Any chance you changed the airflow during the period the device cooled down? Did you have the cover off when it cooled down? Since there was no current, I just can not seem to get away from the attic space heat.

What is the current resolution on your meter? How about trying an in-line current meter with better accuracy?

 

[ceb58]

I would check the joints in the box if that didn't cure it then turn off power and leave every thing normal ( recp. in box with cover on) if it doesn't cool down then the attic heat may be the problem. If it cools with out power then replace the recp. it may be a defect

 

[big john]

I'd take some actual temperature measurements with the receptacle tripped versus reset. I know you said it cooled down, but speaking personally, I would want to see the numbers on that.

I had one like this with a switch for a porch light that was running unusually hot. Turned out to be because heat from a steam pipe located at the bottom of the wall venting out of the switch opening.

-John

 

[bradleyelectric]

Could it be a loose neutral in the jbox?

you mean loose noodle?

 

[steve_p]

I had a gfci at a commercial location that was totally blackened. the face of the gfci was black, the back of the gfci and the inside of the 4 sq box were completely blackened. This was in an exterior wall with a wp cover. I doubt it was ever used, no signs of moisture, the breaker never tripped. The only thing I saw wrong in the box was #10 wires were landed, the next gfci down with #10 wire also showed signs of heat at the screws. The property manager had me blank these off. Never I had meant to post this before curious if the oversized wires when tightened created a fault inside.