I just removed the GFCI that produced smoke when I pressed the test button. It is a 15 amp GFCI. The circuit breaker to the GFCI says 20 amp. My house was built 10 years ago.
there should not be any copper showing at the terminals. trim your wiring so as to prevent any accidental contact of wires when pushing the device back in the wall.
I am wondering if you are sure which is which (line and load wires)
Yes, I am sure about the difference between line and load. Line comes from the circuit breaker. Load goes to outlets in other rooms that need to be protected by the GFCI.
I just bought a sniffer, and I am very glad that I did. Every wire is dead except near the back of the box.
So I will disconnect the GFCI (after labeling the wires), and then use the sniffer to see exactly where the hot line dies.
My guess is that one of the wire nuts is loose.
I still don't understand why the GFCI has 2 neutral wires connected to neutral line.
umm probably not. We need to figure out what is happening here. I think I see three cables entering this box. one of which is a 3wire. Can we determine where they go? It might be important
which of the above lettered wires are in the same cables?
well I really think we need to insure where the cables go. What I suggest is to open box that you think it goes to, and temp tie neutral and black together using wire nut, back at trouble box teat for contuinity between wires of questioned cable.
And if it realy is hot we have a bigger problem. Because white hots are only allowed in switch legs, and lighting. So we would have to find where some one else crossed their wires or that those other cable really do go to lights.
Can I just put both ends of a free wire into the left and right slots of the other bathroom's outlet, and then go back to the GFCI box and test for continuity to determine which wires are GFCI load?
the only way I can think of for this to be a legal install is if this GFI is a switched plug. Is there a wall switch near by that you don't know what it does? Say where is this GFI again? don't make me read the whole thread again
well if it was wired correctly that circuit should only power bath plugs. (assuming house is not too old) So I guess that the error is at the panel or one of the other bath plugs.
I still don't know why there is a 3 wire cable in there and that bugs me.
edit: unless this is a MWBC to this point and then splits to x and the other bath plugs. You say there are 2 other bath plugs (right beside one another???) If in the same bathroom they both wont originate from so far way. but more likely dasiy chain one to another.
I think we are missing something, and I would like to see what the other guys think.
well if it was wired correctly that circuit should only power bath plugs. (assuming house is not too old) So I guess that the error is at the panel or one of the other bath plugs.
I'm now going with the theory that it is a MWBC from the panel to this location, from which it is one 2 wire cable to the other bathroom, at mater bath the two plugs are daisy chained, from this location the other half of the MWBC goes to say the laundry.
Well now to test my theory. If this is a MWBC in the panel there should be a 3wire cable involved in the breaker that shuts this off.
The bathroom GFI switch is right above the "service disconnect" label
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
DIY Home Improvement Forum
3.1M posts
319.6K members
Since 2003
A forum community dedicated to Do it yourself-ers and home improvement enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about tools, projects, builds, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Helping You to Do It Yourself!