[Stmorris987]

I just installed a new GFCI outlet to the exterior of my house. I ran the power from a switch inside the house. When i test the outlet with my voltage tester it blinks red indicating power...I plugged in a lamp and it did not turn on. I tried plugging in other items as well, with no luck. I'm very confused as to how this outlet is not working properly. I only have wires going in to the load part of the outlet, coming from the switch inside. There are three other switches in the same box, 2 of which are used to power the outside outlet. Please help!

-Stuart

 

[rjniles]

You may have connected to a switch loop and/or there is no neutral in the box. Show us a picture of the box with the switches pulled out (not disconnected).

 

[jbfan]

The power to a gfci is connected to the line and not the load.

 

[rjniles]

The power to a gfci is connected to the line and not the load.

Missed that!

 

[Stmorris987]

So, I don't know why i said "load", I meant to say the wires are going in to the lead. When I test the outlet with nothing plugged in, it reads hot, but when I try plugging in the lamp, the outlet reads cold.

here's a picture of the inside box, hope it helps...

 

[jbfan]

You have 2 switches that power the same receptacle?

 

[Stmorris987]

I'm drawing power from one switch (which controls an outside light) to a new switch that controls the outside outlet (i really just installed this so i could put up christmas lights and turn them on/off)...I feel like there is an issue with the ground wire?? I can't depress the reset button...

 

[jbfan]

Ground wires have nothing to do with the receptacle not working.
You need to describe the wiring and how youo connected it to the switch.
If the unit will not reset, it is because there is no power to it.

 

[rjniles]

Sounds like you do not have a neutral. The white wire to the new GFCI should be connected to the white wire in the back of the box under the red wire nut.

 

[Rochsolid]

What is that black to white wore joint for?

 

[Stmorris987]

Thank you all for your help, I ended up calling an electrician out to help! You were right, there was no neutral wire in the box...he ran a new neutral from the bare wire connections already in the box, and I couldn't have figured this out on my own...luckily he was nice enough not to charge me, happy holidays to me!

 

[jbfan]

Thank you all for your help, I ended up calling an electrician out to help! You were right, there was no neutral wire in the box...he ran a new neutral from the bare wire connections already in the box, and I couldn't have figured this out on my own...luckily he was nice enough not to charge me, happy holidays to me!

If he connected to the bare wire he is a hack.
You have a worse situation then the had before.
The bare wire is ground and should not carry current.

 

[kbsparky]

Thank you all for your help, I ended up calling an electrician out to help! You were right, there was no neutral wire in the box...he ran a new neutral from the bare wire connections already in the box, and I couldn't have figured this out on my own...luckily he was nice enough not to charge me, happy holidays to me!

He is not a good electrician.

He didn't charge you because he is a hack, and you have no recourse against him for a blatant Code violation.

The bare ground wires are NOT designed to be current-carrying for normal circuit operation. You have a potential serious problem on your hands now.

Get a REAL electrician to fix this!