Questions tagged [gfci]

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter(GFCI). Sometimes known as a GFI, or a residual-current device (RCD or RCCB). Can refer to receptacles as well as circuit breakers. They detect a leak in current, or an imbalance between the current on the hot and neutral wires. This is used to prevent electrical shock. Use with the [electrical] tag

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Putting a non GFCI downstream from a GFCI

I have an outlet next to my sink in a kitchen remodel. There is another outlet downstream that is located behind the refrigerator where the fridge will be plugged in. I know the outlet next to the ...
Miles's user avatar
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6 votes
3 answers
773 views

New GFCI outlet popping with high powered appliances

When I plug a high powered (1200W) device into my new GFCI outlet the GF circuit pops after 3 or 4 minutes. It does not pop if I plug the same device into a downstream outlet fed by the load ...
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Why is LCDI protection required on window A/Cs *but not anything else*?

Background: LCDI cord sets have individually shielded conductors, and a circuit in the plug that detects current through the shields and cuts off the power. They are meant to detect live-to-neutral ...
jay613's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
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How to diagnose the reason for an exterior GFCI trip

I ran a wire from the garage to the corner post of a vinyl fence and made an internal splice in the post. I spliced it to another 12-2 wire that runs underground about 60' to a flower garden. I have a ...
neil hodges cornell's user avatar
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New gfci outlet keeps tripping

I installed a new gfci outlet outside through my attic to power a roof de-icer cable. I tapped into a dedicated outlet for an air conditioner that runs to the floor below. Additionally in the attic I ...
Jeff Callahan's user avatar
2 votes
5 answers
647 views

How do I wire a timer for a fan to a GFCI receptacle?

I have a 20A GFCI outlet that I want to wire a timer to that will control a ceiling exhaust fan. However the timer I have requires connection to a 3 wire (B,W,R-G) box, but the GFCI outlet is only ...
Commander David's user avatar
8 votes
3 answers
2k views

How can I restore power to a gas-fired water heater protected by a tripped GFCI outlet?

We had some rain that blew sideways yesterday and tripped our outdoor GFCI which is connected to our tankless gas water heater. The orange light is showing and we can’t reset the outlet. I’ve turned ...
Leslie's user avatar
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Why does my GFCI keep tripping the breaker

I was attempting to wire in a new GFCI receptacle on the exterior of my house. i ran a new 3wire 12 gauge BX cable and wired it onto an existing junction box in the basement. The junction box is ...
user379468's user avatar
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1 answer
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GFCI breaker in the bathroom

I thought I had turned off the power in the bathroom but the outlet was still hot . The gfci breaker tripped. Now I have installed new outlets and I am not getting power after turning the breaker ...
Mike's user avatar
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Is a GFCI power cord on a GFCI-protected outlet redundant?

The plug on my pressure washer has a built-in GFCI. When I plug it into a GFCI protected (at breaker or at outlet) wall outlet at home, is the protection redundant (I'm asking about my safety while ...
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Loose hose inside SmartBidet [closed]

I have a SmartBidet 2000 that keeps tripping the GFCI outlet. I opened it up to see what was wrong with the electronics and noticed a loose hose (water tube?) that wasn't connected to anything on one ...
HISqueen's user avatar
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2 answers
647 views

Can I shorten the neutral pigtail of a GFCI breaker?

I want to clean up clutter in my 200 amp GE Electrical panel prior to installing a 50 amp transfer switch. Can I uncoil AND shorten the neutral pigtail of the GFCI breakers?
Chuck's user avatar
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GFCI mystery interaction with room lights

I have one GFCI for all bathroom outlets and outdoor outlets. By a process of elimination, I have identified one outdoor outlet that is causing the GFCI to trip. But the strange thing is that the GFCI ...
Phil Freedenberg's user avatar
5 votes
3 answers
2k views

Why does my GFCI outlet trip when I touch it to the wall box?

UPDATE: The wall box IS grounded via a wire that is screwed to the back of the wall box, and clamped to the Original 1953 galvanized plumbing in the wall behind the kitchen sink. I think it is the ...
Paul's user avatar
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How do I add a "always on" GCFI outlet to this bathroom setup

In the past I ran into an issue where I tried to replace the wall switch with a GFCI+Switch combo and found that every time I plug a device in, my vanity light comes on. Vanity light above sink is ...
Don's user avatar
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Lights in all bathrooms no longer turn on

I have a weird electrical fault in my house and I have a feeling it’s a super simple solution, so wanted to check here before calling an electrician. About a month ago for no obvious reason all lights ...
Dammig's user avatar
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2 answers
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Two 15A GFCI Breakers Tripping Overnight

Last night while coming home I found that a breaker had tripped. Looked around and didn't see issues so I flipped it back on. We'll call this GFCI breaker #1. Later the breaker tripped again but I ...
null's user avatar
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16 votes
1 answer
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Do GFI/GFCI outlets have a potential to damage Nespresso machines (and coffee machines?)

I had a Nespresso Vertuo Next machine. It stopped working properly and during the troubleshooting video call, the Nespresso support agent said that the machines should not be connected to a GFCI ...
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GFCI not powering on

I recently replaced a regular outlet with a GFCI. This is on a 15A circuit that powers this outlet as well as 2 outlets downstream. The GFCI and the other 2 outlets worked fine for about 2 weeks. Had ...
dalton430's user avatar
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2 answers
3k views

GFCI / AFCI Breaker Protecting Old 2-wire Setup With Regular 3-prong (non-GFCI) outlets?

I have read through a lot of discussions on GFCI protection for old 2-wire circuits that don't have a ground wire; most discuss installing a GFCI outlet when replacing an original 2-prong outlet, and ...
sil80's user avatar
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USA - Split 240vac to feed two GFCI circuits

So I have a situation where I need to use a direct burial 10/2 with Ground to feed Two 120vac branch circuits by using the ground wire as a shared neutral. Worse yet, the 10/2 cable has no neutral ...
Remember_The_Magic's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
652 views

WR GFCI or WR outlet for outside use ( for US)

I want to replace the outside receptacles around my house. These outlets are originally Weather Resistant with a cover ( Not GFCI). In the upstream of this circuit, there is a GFCI outlet, which is ...
Obi's user avatar
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Lightswitch keeps tripping GFCI

Moved into a new house recently. Half of it has ungrounded outlets so I installed a few strategic GFCI outlets to protect those. After doing this, I noticed that a light switch in the basement will ...
Ryan Maurer's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
1k views

Do I need an GFCI Breaker if my outdoor outlets are GFCI

I am building an outdoor kitchen and have Alcan 3/c 12awg insulated and shielded wiring running underground from the house to the outdoor kitchen (This was left over from a previous gas heated hot tub)...
Ron Myschuk's user avatar
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1 answer
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electrical feed to fish cleaning station

I have a fish cleaning station with a light and a GFCI receptacle. The GFCI feeds the outdoor floodlight that keeps tugboats from running into the pier. Should the circuit be fed by a GFCI breaker. ...
ctaylor's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
123 views

GFCI outlet randomly stops working

Recently moved into the house. About half of it has ungrounded outlets. Trying to replace them with GFCIs for some increased safety. This outlet in the living room is giving me trouble. On Friday I ...
Ryan Maurer's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
621 views

Replacing breaker with GFCI/AFCI causes trip

As part of my basement finish, I need to replace a breaker with a AFCI. This circuit currently services the new bedroom (outlets already there) and an outlet outside. One of the outlets is already ...
jdawg73's user avatar
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0 answers
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How should I connect a GFCI outlet and light switch?

I am connecting a GFCI outlet and a light circuit to a 4 wire (Black, Red, Neutral, Ground) two gang box. The switch is on the right and the duplex GFCI is on the left (near kitchen sink). How do I ...
Hendrik's user avatar
5 votes
3 answers
2k views

Why might Siemens imply GFCI breaker will reduce protection on 3-wire dryer circuit?

I found this warning in the instructions for a Siemens 2-pole 30 amp GFCI breaker which will be installed for a dryer circuit: To obtain maximum protection against electric shock, electric ranges and ...
trawson's user avatar
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4 answers
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GFCI trips constantly for 4 days, now resets okay

CH panel with 40 year old GFCI feeding 2 outdoor outlets and 8 indoor outlets. Nothing is plugged into any outlet. For 4 days I could not reset after trip (it immediately tripped again). Now it seems ...
Phil Freedenberg's user avatar
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2 answers
4k views

Can I install a double pole GFCI breaker on a 220V circuit with no neutral wire (10/2 romex)?

As the title suggests, I am wanting to install a 15 amp double pole GFCI breaker, changing the current 15 amp double pole standard trip, on an existing 220v circuit ran with 10/2 Romex. Normally on a ...
Shunsuke Sengoku's user avatar
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1 answer
695 views

How should I connect a switch as the load on a GFCI outlet? [duplicate]

I am running a GFCI from breaker to line side. White, ground, black. Then I want to add a switch and another receptacle with white, black and ground. Here where I'm not sure. Do I but a black and ...
Brad See's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
478 views

GFCI dead front switch for exterior outlets won't stay on

We had a storm last night (lightning/wind/rain) and this morning the dead front GFCI switch (located in garage) for all the exterior outlets was tripped. The LED is on so the switch is getting power. ...
The Shoe Shiner's user avatar
6 votes
3 answers
3k views

Garbage disposal on/off switch trips the circuit breaker when turned on

I have a condo unit built in the 1990s. The garbage disposal on/off will trip the circuit breaker every time it is turned on. The panel shows that the dishwasher and garbage share 2 15 Amp circuit ...
Carl M's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
135 views

Troubleshooting GFCI fault in garage

I recently moved into a home that's about 20 years old and have a problem with the 15 amp outlet circuit in the garage. I was using a 12 amp table saw on the third and last outlet along the wall when ...
Matt's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
101 views

How do I restore power to living room receptacles?

I removed a data receptacle from my living room, and all the outlets to that room (the alarm system) and garage door are not working. After trying to diagnose the problem I’m left very puzzled! the ...
JetteBeckett's user avatar
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1 answer
117 views

I have a outdoor circuit with multiple GFCI’s, all working but no lights are on

I have an outdoor circuit with 5 total outlets, three are GFCI with two lights. I recently connected a bug zapper & timer to one of the GFCI outlets and noticed that none of the the lights are lit ...
Brian King's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
559 views

Multiwire Branch Outlet GFCI/AFCI breaker need but no product

I have a multiwire branch circuit (MWBC) connecting my dishwasher and disposal that connects to a Cutler-Hammer (using Eaton breakers) panel. After a renovation, an inspector told me I need the ...
Mike's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
3k views

How to wire up my vanity lights along with electrical outlet in bathroom

I'm including photos to help convey this information more easily to hopefully get some help. I had an electrician remove two outlets on either ends of the wall where two vanity mirrors will be ...
Adrien's user avatar
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2 answers
752 views

GFCI outlet goes from red to green randomly

I have GFCI outlets that I occasionally catch glowing red, and they seem to change to green almost instantly shortly afterward. I also finally caught one in the act of going from green to red to green ...
Shonie's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
314 views

Is this a GFCI tester on breaker panel? What does it do?

I noticed that there is a GFCI tester on the breaker panel. But I'm not sure what it was for. The directory just says "Ground Fault". so I interact with it a little. I pressed the test ...
GZ-'s user avatar
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2 answers
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What is the model number for the breaker that fits in my Cutler hammer load center panel?

I have an older outdoor GFCI outlet on a dedicated circuit that trips periodically. I am planning on switching it with a regular outlet and a GFCI breaker in order to get the GFCI circuitry away from ...
bigchief's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
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Refrigerator has to be on GFCI?

I am original owner of 1986 house where the refrigerator was put on kitchen GFCI as it is 5' from the sink. I lived there 25 years and never had the GFCI trip for any reason. I had GE fridge, then ...
Kat's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
540 views

Changing out GFCI disconnect for new hot tub

I purchased a new hot tub. On the current disconnect, using an ohmmeter, I get 0 ohms between the bare conductor and white neutral. I wired the original box and had it inspected but not sure how in-...
Randy P's user avatar
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1 vote
2 answers
1k views

Convert Round old box to GFCI receptacle

I'm looking to install a GFCI outlet in place of a regular bulb old box. The problem is the box is fit tight and not flush with the dry wall and the hole is also larger. I've looked into circular wall ...
SteelBird's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

AFCI/GFCI Panel Breaker energized but won't trip

I had an electrician install AFCI/GFCI breakers at the panel for some outlets in the kitchen. One of them works fine and trips when tested from the outlets, but the other does not. It provides power ...
Mike's user avatar
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0 answers
513 views

Best Way To Install An Additional Outlet Near Sink?

I am replacing an old built in vanity with a drop-in replacement. The replacement has built in outlets on one side. As you can see in the picture, the vanity has a hole to pass the cord through on the ...
Palin567's user avatar
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0 answers
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Can you connect an outdoor GFCI to an indoor outlet using 14 g wire if it is a 20 amp circuit? The GFCI will be used for a sump pump only [duplicate]

I am tapping off a indoor outlet on a 20 amp line with 12 g wiring to an outdoor gfi. The wiring from the gfi is already wired by the previous owner via 14 g wire through conduit to an outlet that ...
scaredycats's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
400 views

Does GFCI ONLY affect connected receptacles and is GFCI ONLY affected by adjoining receptacles

We had our GFCI fault yesterday afternoon,we thought it was the GFCI since we replaced it yrs ago and they do go bad sometimes. We bought a new one, put it in same wiring as the previous and it did ...
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Pool pump safety question

I have a 1.5 SPL pool pump that is on 30a breaker with #10 wire to a 20a gfci plug in a water proof box. What can I do to fix this. It seems to draw a lot of watts . Is there something that I need to ...
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