GFI keeps tripping

[coffeesnob]

The GFI in my garage keeps tripping. When it trips a red light on it comes on. Sometimes it trips right away other times it takes a few seconds. I know nothing about electricity but if you think this is a bad GFI I can replace it myself... Thanks

[DaCapt]

is it a wall gfi or a gfi in the electrical box?

[Snipe]

Start with unplugging anything down line of the GFI, the problem item doesn't need to be plugged directly into that outlet, it just needs to be on that line and triggering the GFI into seeing a ground fault.

[Hugebergen]

If the GFI is on the same circuit as the lights it can cause it to trip. Theres nothing plugged into it when it trips?

[coffeesnob]

Originally Posted by DaCapt

is it a wall gfi or a gfi in the electrical box?

all
the gfi is in a wall. It trips on its own.. the only thing plugged into down stream ( I think) is an extension cord with a multi strip deal on it that is turned off. I've only had a battery charger plugged into the multi outlet strip so I don't think it is causing an overload. One other thing may be a coincidence. I had my house pressure washed today and the circuit breaked box is outside on the house. I am wondering if mositure got in it. It should have dried by now though

[DaCapt]

yep, that would be a good reason it tripped. If this is the first time it has given you problems, then yes it was the power wash. Let it dry out on its own, or give it a blow dry, either using a compressor , or when its dry outside, you can use a hair dryer. Take the faceplate off before you try either method. Also might help to turn off that circuit, before you attempt to dry the outlet.

[DWreck]

Sounds like ur equip has an issue

[WNYTACOMA]

Originally Posted by coffeesnob

all
the gfi is in a wall. It trips on its own.. the only thing plugged into down stream ( I think) is an extension cord with a multi strip deal on it that is turned off. I've only had a battery charger plugged into the multi outlet strip so I don't think it is causing an overload. One other thing may be a coincidence. I had my house pressure washed today and the circuit breaked box is outside on the house. I am wondering if mositure got in it. It should have dried by now though

A lot of times, the garage interior wall will reset the exterior outlets on the same circuit, so it could be related...

I would give it a chance to 'dry out' and see it that takes care of it. In the future, you might want to tape over / seal the exterior outlets prior to another power wash.

[coffeesnob]

Originally Posted by DaCapt

yep, that would be a good reason it tripped. If this is the first time it has given you problems, then yes it was the power wash. Let it dry out on its own, or give it a blow dry, either using a compressor , or when its dry outside, you can use a hair dryer. Take the faceplate off before you try either method. Also might help to turn off that circuit, before you attempt to dry the outlet.

The gfi is in my garage and dry as a bone. I menat that the breaker box was outside.

[davidsdad]

Unplug the poower strip and all other equipment on this circuit and then attempt to re-set the G.F.C.I. If then it resets you know one of the items plugged into this circuit is causing the ground fault!! Let us know how it turns out!!!

[macgyver]

the gfci outlet may be in your garage but it could control outlets on the outside. mine does in my house.

[coffeesnob]

Originally Posted by davidsdad

Unplug the poower strip and all other equipment on this circuit and then attempt to re-set the G.F.C.I. If then it resets you know one of the items plugged into this circuit is causing the ground fault!! Let us know how it turns out!!!

Its still is tripping. If I get a chance I am going to the hardware store and buy a new outlet and go from there...thx

[98tacoma27]

Originally Posted by coffeesnob

Its still is tripping. If I get a chance I am going to the hardware store and buy a new outlet and go from there...thx

I think you are wasting your time buying a new outlet. A GFI monitors the load on both sides (hot and common/neutral). A wet neutral line (or even ground since they are typically bonded at the box) could cause it to trip. And as others have said, an exterior outlet or the main box itself could have moisture in it which could take a few days to dry out. I'd say give it a week and see what happens. Pressure washing can force water into unwanted places.

[Dimonback]

It's likely that the GFI is working correctly, and as someone else pointed out, one of the other exterior receptacles has faulted due to the power wash. Shack electricians will typically use one GFI to power several receptacles downline to save money. Check your exterior recepts before you buy a new GFI.

[WNYTACOMA]

Originally Posted by Dimonback

It's likely that the GFI is working correctly, and as someone else pointed out, one of the other exterior receptacles has faulted due to the power wash. Shack electricians will typically use one GFI to power several receptacles downline to save money. Check your exterior recepts before you buy a new GFI.

Yep.

If you have a circuit fed by your service equipment ('main panel') on a grounded circuit, the GFCI outlet closer to the source (panel) will (or should) provide GFCI protection for the outlets farther away or 'downstream'.

In other words, you don't have to see the little buttons on the outlet for them to be GFCI protected, and in your case, it sounds like the GFCI outlet closer to the panel is the one in the garage interior wall, whether it be on the garage / house common wall or possibly the rear wall. That one would 'reset' the exteriors, in all likelihood, in your case.

Let it 'dry out' for some days and see if that takes care of it, otherwise, you might have to target the effected outlet.

[xJuice]

I've had a similar issue. My GFCI in my garage was randomly tripping itself. It's connected to the 3 exterior outlets on my house also. The seals around the ext. outlets (between the plate and brick) weren't very good so I figured that maybe water was getting behind them when it rained. Two of the outlets are uncovered. Caulked a nice silicone seal around them and also around my back patio light fixture. Haven't had a problem since. (knock on wood)

[coffeesnob]

Originally Posted by 98tacoma27

I think you are wasting your time buying a new outlet. A GFI monitors the load on both sides (hot and common/neutral). A wet neutral line (or even ground since they are typically bonded at the box) could cause it to trip. And as others have said, an exterior outlet or the main box itself could have moisture in it which could take a few days to dry out. I'd say give it a week and see what happens. Pressure washing can force water into unwanted places.

I'll take that advice. I'll Give it a week and see what happens and thanks all. and happy thanksgiving

[macgyver]

Originally Posted by Dimonback

It's likely that the GFI is working correctly, and as someone else pointed out, one of the other exterior receptacles has faulted due to the power wash. Shack electricians will typically use one GFI to power several receptacles downline to save money. Check your exterior recepts before you buy a new GFI.

There's actually nothing wrong with using one GFCI to power multiple downline receptacles as long as you don't exceed the maximum wattage and amperage the breaker allows which by standard practice is around 80% of the breakers rating. Show me where in the NEC that says this is unacceptable?

[tacomatrd99]

I had this problem when I bought my house a few years ago. Anytime it rained, my GFI tripped. Looked everywhere for an answer. Turned out the caulk around the lights on my back porch had a small hole in it and was letting water in. My house was built in '42 so all the GFI and exterior sockets are on one circuit. I never thought to look at the lights because they're not plugged in (hardwired).

[macgyver]

Originally Posted by coffeesnob

I'll take that advice. I'll Give it a week and see what happens and thanks all. and happy thanksgiving

Mine did their job last year. I had the christmas lights on the bushes plugged in and everytime my dog would pee on the bushes it will trip the circuit. A little bit of "liquid" on the circuit can trip it.