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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Hi I have a gfci outlet in my bathroom that is brand new and was checked by a esa inspector and he said that it was wired wrong. Checked it a couple of times, it is wired correctly with only line coming in with neutral and hot and ground (white to silver, black to copper, and ground to box and ground lead). had it checked again and the same thing with the tester and he suggested changing the outlet. Replaced the gfci with another brand new unit and still the same thing. I did try just for the sake of it changing the polarity and no power present. The outlet works correctly when tested traditionally by plugging a light in and tripping the test button, light goes out, reset and light comes on. Check with plug tester and still shows not correct, I am becoming fustrated and stumped any help would be greatly appreceiated.
 

· licensed electrician
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45 Posts
good lead on that though, what if the the black and white are reversed? in other words maybe the black is white and the white is hot :D i have seen this before, people reversing polarity. I would say this is the best bet, try the white wire on the brass screw and the black on the silver, I'm willing to put money that this might be it and if it is pick up one of these at a local hardware store if you havn't all ready and check all your recepticals and fix them as needed

http://www.google.com/products/cata...=X&ei=Xa3ATem2OcHVgQey_5SnBg&ved=0CCEQ8wIwAA#
 

· Licensed Electrical Cont.
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7,829 Posts
What this is is a GFI installed on a circuit with no ground present. Simply grounding to the box will do nothing if there is no ground in the wiring method.

Now, this is a perfectly legal and acceptable installation. The only thing is a plug-in tester will NOT work on a GFI installed like this. IT IS STILL legal and safe. In fact it is much safe than a regular receptacle.
Problem is many inspectors with little experience or clue will call this out as defective. IT IS NOT.
 

· licensed electrician
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45 Posts
What this is is a GFI installed on a circuit with no ground present. Simply grounding to the box will do nothing if there is no ground in the wiring method.

Now, this is a perfectly legal and acceptable installation. The only thing is a plug-in tester will NOT work on a GFI installed like this. IT IS STILL legal and safe. In fact it is much safe than a regular receptacle.
Problem is many inspectors with little experience or clue will call this out as defective. IT IS NOT.
he said there is a ground, black on brass, white on silver and ground to box then ground lead, i don't think it's a two wire system.
 

· Licensed Electrical Cont.
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7,829 Posts
good lead on that though, what if the the black and white are reversed? in other words maybe the black is white and the white is hot :D i have seen this before, people reversing polarity. I would say this is the best bet, try the white wire on the brass screw and the black on the silver,
A newer GFI, if wired reversed, will NOT let power through, just like he described in post #1.
 

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What were you asking? See Speedy's reply, because it is line to what I was implying. Most inspecters, especially home inspectors are not worth the trouble to open the door. Now days, you have too many inspectors that were contractors, that think because they used a hammer & saw, or a pair of *****, think they know everything about inspection. Even when I was in the Navy, it took continuous training to be up to date on everything. A couple of us spent a week learning about various ways to do our jobs better, but even the instructors stated that they could not teach everything in one week, that it could take a year, and still not know everything about everything with Electrical. It is an on going process, because people learn better/safer techniques, and the process changes, because the laws change locally & nationally to make dwellings safer.
 

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gregzoll said:
What were you asking? See Speedy's reply, because it is line to what I was implying. Most inspecters, especially home inspectors are not worth the trouble to open the door. Now days, you have too many inspectors that were contractors, that think because they used a hammer & saw, or a pair of *****, think they know everything about inspection. Even when I was in the Navy, it took continuous training to be up to date on everything. A couple of us spent a week learning about various ways to do our jobs better, but even the instructors stated that they could not teach everything in one week, that it could take a year, and still not know everything about everything with Electrical. It is an on going process, because people learn better/safer techniques, and the process changes, because the laws change locally & nationally to make dwellings safer.
Got it. I thought you meant the posters were complaining. :)
 
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