If all the GFCI have the same situation, you can locate the problem in the main electrical panel. If you’re unable to reset the breaker, this means that the power did not come back. The reset button acts as a switch for power restoration in your GFCI outlet. Step 3: Restore power with the reset button Now, you can tell if the GFCI breaker is good if the button moves and shuts off the electricity inside the outlet. The breaker trips because the test button short circuits the neutral wire to the neutral bus, creating a ground fault. The neutral wire of the breaker connects through the panel’s neutral bus, which separates other neutral cables going around the house. Push the test button included in the breaker itself and let it trip. Your tester will also inform you if your GFCI outlet has faulty wiring if this happens, call a professional electrician and let him do the rest. If the tester lights up, this indicates that the outlet has a flowing current, but if you reset it and it doesn’t trip (the tester stays on), this means you have a bad outlet. Use your voltage tester to see if there’s an occurring current on the outlet you are testing. Troubleshooting GFCI is uncomplicated, and I’m confident enough to say that you can do it yourself.įor a detailed explanation to check a GFCI breaker, take note of the following steps below. On the other hand, you can manually test your breaker. It is best to always look out for this green light indicator because once it turns red, you will need a replacement. Although you can test both manually, self-testing GFCI has a LED light on the bottom of the receptacle. There are two types of GFCI outlets, the Self-Testing, and the Manual-Testing. How to Tell If GFCI Breaker is Bad & Steps on Checking Your GFCI Breaker You can also add an extra layer of protection by wearing a leather protector glove above the rubber. Rubber insulating gloves that pass the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements are advisable. Common injuries like Arc Blast and Arc Flash could permanently damage the skin, tissues, or bones of your working hand.ĭo not underestimate the possible dangers, even if you’re only going to touch the test button of the breaker or tweak some adjustments inside the main breaker panel.Īlways think about the worst-case scenario and wear gloves that can support high voltages. Your hands are the part of your body exposed first and foremost when testing the GFCI breaker. The American National Standards Institute’s (ANSI) approved footwear is best for electrical works. Severe electrical ground accidents happen when you are barefooted, allowing the current to flow through your body as a pathway to reach the ground. It would be best if you protect your foot with insulated shoes or boots. You can usually locate GFCIs in areas with a vast amount of moisture or water puddles present. In case of a bad GFCI breaker situation, you need to protect yourself from the dangers of shock and electrocution. This tester can determine if the problem of your GFCI came from incorrect wiring or the outlet itself. This tester is the kind of equipment that’s plugged in and instantly lets you know if there’s a flow of electricity or not. Since you’re trying to work on a GFCI outlet, it is best to use a 3-prong voltage tester like the Klein Tools RT210 Outlet Tester. When it comes to contact with a live outlet receptacle or wires, it lights up or creates a beeping sound. This pen-looking equipment can quickly determine your GFCI breaker’s condition. It is best to use a non-contact voltage tester for safety because you’ll never have to touch any live wires. This tool’s purpose is to determine if an outlet has electricity flowing in it or trace the responsible breaker for your GFCI. You can’t test a GFCI breaker barehanded since you need some piece of technology and safety equipment for electric matters. Step 3: Restore power with the reset buttonīefore we proceed to the troubleshooting techniques, you should acquire the following tools first.How to Tell If GFCI Breaker is Bad & Steps on Checking Your GFCI Breaker.
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