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gfci outlets not working

7K views 23 replies 8 participants last post by  mtkelley 
#1 · (Edited)
I live in a manufactured home and my GFCI outlets aren't working. I've tried reseting all of them but they wont reset. There are 3 different circuit breakers contected to all of the outlets that aren't working and none of them are tripped. The power comes back on eventually when it wants to and will eventually go back out. I have one GFCI outlet that is working and that is the outside outlet. Please, any help will be appreciated.
 
#2 ·
I am NOT an electrician, just an old DIYer. IMHO, you apparently have one with a faulty connection or one that has failed in that circuit.
Turn OFF the breakers to the circuits, and check to see if any of the screw connections are burned, corroded or loose.
If all looks o.k., start exchanging the gfci receptacles for new ones. There should not be more than one gfci on a circuit, and it should be the first one, so that all past it in that same circuit would also be gfci protected.
That's just my 2 cents.
Good Luck!
Mike
 
#4 ·
Have you checked each GFCI receptacle? Or are these GFCI Breakers?

Check ALL connections on the circuit. (Deenergized, of course)

How old are the GFCIs? More than 10-15 years, you may need to replace them.
 
#11 ·
Have you opened up all the receptacle boxes and looked for a "loose" connection. ... on the recptacle itself, or possibly a "wire-nutted" connection.

Do you have anything like a hair dryer, electric tootbrush, etc....plugged into any GFCI receptacle or on downstream of it.
 
#16 ·
Hang on a second before we go calling in contractors. It is my understanding you have three gfci's on different circuit breakers that have failed. This is not your normal loose connection problem.

Please answer a question:

Is power present at the gfci's? By this I mean does a tester show the hot wire that is connected to the line terminal of the gfci is at 120 volts or lights a test light when tested to ground?

It would not be feasible for three gfci's on different circuits to all have ground faults.

Also power comes back on when it wants? Please describe what you
mean by that in more detail.

This sounds more like a power problem not a gfci tripping out on fault.

Stubbie
 
#17 ·
As suggested, you need to check the connections on every single receptacle on each circuit, whether it is a gfci receptacle or not.
Also, don't forget to check for gfci or other receptacles that may have been installed on the opposite wall, but on the same circuit (perhaps in an exterior or garage location).
Mike
 
#18 · (Edited)
Ok, I have 2 gfci outlets that have the reset/test buttons on them that are not working. I have one outside that is working. I have other outlets that are also the protected outlets that dont have the reset/test button on them that also are not working. All of the outlets that are not working belong to 3 different circuit breakers. none of the breakers are tripped. The power in just the outlets that belong to those three circuit breakers goes out without any reason. And then usually a few hours later the power in the outlets will just come back on all by itself. But it has not come back on for three days now. I have not used a test light on them yet. I have to get one from someone. The rest of the electricity in the house is fine.
 
#19 · (Edited)
I'm trying to find out why you are having issues on three circuits but not others. Why 2 gfci's are tripping or if they are not resetting because they are not powered. The test I asked about would be very helpful. I would like to know if all has been well with these until now or if you have had trouble with them for some time? I would also like to know the wiring description in the boxes at the gfci's. Like the colors of wires and where they are connected on the gfci. Anybody been fooling with the wiring lately?
When you say 2 gfci's are tripping are they both on the same circuit or different circuits?

Do you know what a multiwire circuit is that uses a shared neutral wire. Would you know how to recognize one?

Sorry for all the questions but I'm trying to get a better understanding of what is going on there.


stubbie
 
#21 ·
This is going on much too long ... we're getting dubious information.

MT,
If you have children in this trailer ... I highly recommend you get a licensed contractor out there FAST before something happens.

Stop this screwin' around, get it fixed prorperly for the sake of the children.
I don't wanna' see your children on Channel 7 News.
Take Care...
 
#22 ·
Yes, at this point I am afraid I have to agree with Garth...you need to get a professional out asap. I originally thought I had a clue to what was going on but the information is no longer supporting that thought. Plus I think your skills are not going to be able to correct a problem like you are having..... that isn't met as an insult just concern for your family safety.


stubbie
 
#23 · (Edited)
Stubbie,
I agree ... it's nothin against MT... some folks are better suited for other endeavors .... this is starting to worry me ...
I'm retired,..... if he lived closer ... I run out there and take care of it ... he's 1.5 hrs away ... one way... and it's way accross Detroit ... no good way to get there ....

GO YANKEES .....

Nite .....
 
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