Garage GFI Help please

ashnic · 03-07-2011, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpoulton

Are you absolutely positive you don't have line and load reversed on the GFCI? They are intended to trip and not reset when mis-wired. Could hot and neutral be reversed somehow? Check everything again, down to reading the printing on the GFCI to verify line and load, and testing with a meter with the power on.

It strikes me as odd that you say the GFCI trips when you turn the power on. It should not be resettable unless the power is already on, and should not reset if there is a fault present. How are you able to reset the GFCI to try this more than one time?

Can't hurt...I'll look again..

boman47k · 03-07-2011, 10:00 AM

*****

Sorry, just want to keep abreast of what the outcome is.
Gotta ask, new as in never used?

Quote:

new 4 foot piece outside of the box

Might as well ask, wires wrapped tightly around the terminal screws?

Stubbie · 03-07-2011, 10:25 AM

If the gfci only has line connections it will only trip when something is plugged into it. The gfci monitors nothing line side, you could have all the current leakage on the planet and the gfci will not see it.

I don't think the previous thunderstorm is at fault other than causing the replaced gfci to trip.

IMO you have the gfci miswired.

Can you post a picture(s) or drawing of how you wired the gfci ??

ashnic · 03-07-2011, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stubbie

If the gfci only has line connections it will only trip when something is plugged into it. The gfci monitors nothing line side, you could have all the current leakage on the planet and the gfci will not see it.

I don't think the previous thunderstorm is at fault other than causing the replaced gfci to trip.

IMO you have the gfci miswired.

Can you post a picture(s) or drawing of how you wired the gfci ??

I am going to reverse the white and black leads tonight...if that does not work I will take a couple of pics.

Everything I have purchased has been new, wiring, GFI and breaker...

HouseHelper · 03-07-2011, 10:34 AM

I too am wondering how you can reset a GFCI that trips as soon as power is applied, when you can only reset one when power is applied.

Jim Port · 03-07-2011, 10:41 AM

The black wire goes to the brass screw. White to the silver screw. You will be connecting the power in to the LINE terminals.

boman47k · 03-07-2011, 11:10 AM

To the sparkys, is it possible something caused a bad spot on the bus bar that is making this thing trip?

Incompatible breaker?

ashnic · 03-07-2011, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HouseHelper

I too am wondering how you can reset a GFCI that trips as soon as power is applied, when you can only reset one when power is applied.

After it trips the GFI, I turn the breaker off. Reset by pushing the button until it clicks on the GFI. Flip the breaker back on and pop.

ashnic · 03-07-2011, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Port

The black wire goes to the brass screw. White to the silver screw. You will be connecting the power in to the LINE terminals.

This is exactly the way I have it connected..Panel = Black wire coming directly off the breaker, white wire on the neutral buss, and bare ground wire on ground buss GFI outlet white to silver, black to brass and ground to green screw on bottom. Everything snug as can be. Now I have not tryed moving the breaker to a differant spot on the buss? Should I try that? Lord knows there is plenty of room?

HouseHelper · 03-07-2011, 12:40 PM

You have a bad GFCI receptacle. You should not be able to reset without power applied.

boman47k · 03-07-2011, 12:44 PM

Good undamged from breakerwire, nothing attached downstream, properly fitting breaker, proper wiring of the cfi, wires connected under the terminal screws, what does that leave? Wire cut at the breaker from overtightening? Not tight enough?

Not a sparky, but if all that is correct, I think I would have to check the bus bar.

Or call an electrician.