open ground on a GCFI outlet

klaus135 · 02-11-2011, 06:55 PM

I have an inspection coming up on a rental house. She stated the 2 GCFI outlets are not working properly. I bought the little yellow tester thing she had. It states that there is an "open ground." I opened up an outlet that tested "correct." The correct one and the incorrect one are wired identical.

It is two wire service. A hot and a neutral wire. I dont get it, Any ideas?

brric · 02-11-2011, 07:05 PM

The only meaningful test for a non-grounded GFCI is the integral test button on thr GFCI itself. Without an equipment ground a plug in GFCI tester will not trip the GFCI.

klaus135 · 02-11-2011, 07:11 PM

I cant get the internal button to work either. I even tried a new GfI outlet...same thing

jlmran · 02-11-2011, 08:02 PM

Is there correct power at the receptacle?

Edit: Using a meter, is there 120V between the hot and neutral?

proremodel · 02-11-2011, 08:08 PM

Really simple--- what is your house wired with?? Romex, bx,hardpipe(conduit). Only thing you must hook up a true ground wire to the outlet/switch is a ground wire with bx or conduit you must run the ground wire to the outlet. Is that there? IF you have metal boxes and pipe means you have a loose connection on the pipe somewhere. Make sure your connection in the box is good too on the connector.

Thinking of the not the correct power is a good thought but that wouldn't leave a open ground.

jlmran · 02-11-2011, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by proremodel

Thinking of the not the correct power is a good thought but that wouldn't leave a open ground.

Assuming the testing device is in-fact working properly.

proremodel · 02-11-2011, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlmran

Assuming the testing device is in-fact working properly.

agreed--

brric · 02-11-2011, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klaus135

I cant get the internal button to work either. I even tried a new GfI outlet...same thing

Hot and neutral reversed?

jlmran · 02-11-2011, 08:34 PM

Wouldn't that have its own error code?

proremodel · 02-11-2011, 08:39 PM

yes that would be a different set of lights. OP try this. Get a piece of wire that is long enough to touch another box (if it is metal) take the plate cover off, have somebody help you touch the screws that hold the outlet to the box on both. Have the tester plugged in and see if it works right. Then tell us what lights you get!

Now if that makes it all better then what your going to need to do is either find the loose connection in the piping or run a green or bare copper wire to another box that is correct and hook it to the ground post on that outlet/switch.

jlmran · 02-11-2011, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by proremodel

yes that would be a different set of lights. OP try this. Get a piece of wire that is long enough to touch another box (if it is metal) take the plate cover off, have somebody help you touch the screws that hold the outlet to the box on both. Have the tester plugged in and see if it works right. Then tell us what lights you get!

This doesn't address the fact that the receptacles' test button doesn't work...I don't think. See my question in the thread called "GFCI Function". (Didn't want to hijack this thread).

Perhaps the internal test button doesn't function because there is not a bonding (ground) conductor present. I don't know this answer because I don't know how the test button performs its function.

proremodel · 02-11-2011, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlmran

This doesn't address the fact that the receptacles' test button doesn't work...I don't think. See my question in the thread called "GFCI Function". (Didn't want to hijack this thread).

Well that is the issue. No ground means the outlet will not work.

jlmran · 02-11-2011, 08:52 PM

A GFCI will function properly (for personnel protection) even if a bonding (ground) conductor is not present. I just don't know how the test button works.

brric · 02-11-2011, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlmran

This doesn't address the fact that the receptacles' test button doesn't work...I don't think. See my question in the thread called "GFCI Function". (Didn't want to hijack this thread).

Perhaps the internal test button doesn't function because there is not a bonding (ground) conductor present. I don't know this answer because I don't know how the test button performs its function.

Wrong.

jlmran · 02-11-2011, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brric

Wrong.

Wanna share what is right?

02-11-2011, 06:55 PM	#1
klaus135 Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Joliet, IL Posts: 30	open ground on a GCFI outlet I have an inspection coming up on a rental house. She stated the 2 GCFI outlets are not working properly. I bought the little yellow tester thing she had. It states that there is an "open ground." I opened up an outlet that tested "correct." The correct one and the incorrect one are wired identical. It is two wire service. A hot and a neutral wire. I dont get it, Any ideas?

02-11-2011, 07:05 PM	#2
brric Master Electrician Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,315	open ground on a GCFI outlet The only meaningful test for a non-grounded GFCI is the integral test button on thr GFCI itself. Without an equipment ground a plug in GFCI tester will not trip the GFCI.

02-11-2011, 07:11 PM	#3
klaus135 Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Joliet, IL Posts: 30	open ground on a GCFI outlet I cant get the internal button to work either. I even tried a new GfI outlet...same thing

02-11-2011, 08:02 PM	#4
jlmran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 958	open ground on a GCFI outlet Is there correct power at the receptacle? Edit: Using a meter, is there 120V between the hot and neutral? Last edited by jlmran; 02-11-2011 at 08:22 PM.

02-11-2011, 08:08 PM	#5
proremodel Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 102	open ground on a GCFI outlet Really simple--- what is your house wired with?? Romex, bx,hardpipe(conduit). Only thing you must hook up a true ground wire to the outlet/switch is a ground wire with bx or conduit you must run the ground wire to the outlet. Is that there? IF you have metal boxes and pipe means you have a loose connection on the pipe somewhere. Make sure your connection in the box is good too on the connector. Thinking of the not the correct power is a good thought but that wouldn't leave a open ground. Last edited by proremodel; 02-11-2011 at 08:10 PM.

open ground on a GCFI outlet