Steps to Take When Your Phoenix Home GFCI Will Not Reset

In your Phoenix, AZ, home, in the event of a ground fault, overload, or surge in electricity, ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) will trip, resulting in the power being switched off in a fraction of a second. A GFCI protects against burns, electrical shocks, and electrocution, and it is installed in outlets and appliances located near water or moisture sources. Building codes frequently mandate the installation of GFCI outlets in electrical outlets. You can immediately restore power to an outlet by pressing its reset button, but if the problem that caused the GFCI to trip is not fixed or if the outlet itself is defective, you may find that the GFCI will not reset.

 

This could take place for several reasons, including the following:

• Moisture or dust is still present.
• The breaker for the circuit has been tripped.
• An electrical connection has gone faulty.

If hitting the reset button on your GFCI doesn’t get it working again, try the actions that are listed below:

Make Use Of Either The Test Button Or The Reset Button

The test button on a GFCI outlet is typically black, and the reset button is often red. By pressing the test button, you can verify that the outlet can turn off the electricity if necessary. If it trips, you can push the reset button after unplugging any appliances connected to the circuit. When you plug in home appliances, you should hear a clicking sound if they are operational. However, if the outlet keeps tripping, it may be overloaded. If this is the case, plug in one appliance at a time until the outlet trips once more. Using this elimination method, you can figure out what component of the circuit is causing it to overload.

Check the Box That Holds the Circuit Breakers

Find the main electrical panel, and then open the door to the metal cabinet. All of the breaker handles must be in the same position. It is likely disoriented if it is not in line with the others. To turn it on, move the switch to the “on” position. However, if the tripped breaker won’t stay tripped, you should press it firmly in the “off” position; once it clicks, you should push it back to the “on” position. If it goes off again, there may be an issue with the wiring, a ground fault, or an item malfunctioning.

Use a Circuit Tester

Newer GFCI outlets come equipped with a capability that allows them to test themselves automatically. It has LED indications illuminating green while the outlet functions correctly and red when it needs to be replaced. The green light indicates that the outlet is in good operating order. On the other hand, an older GFCI outlet requires manual testing. A circuit breaker finder, which can measure and display the amount of electrical current the outlet receives, is required to do this task. It is possible to detect whether just one outlet is affected or numerous outlets altogether.

Check to See If There Is Any Moisture Present

Before the GFCI can be reset, every trace of moisture must be eliminated from the area. If you have a hair dryer plugged into the outlet, unplug it and put the plug into a different socket instead. Please turn on the dryer and direct it toward the tripping GFCI. Proceed in this manner until all of the moisture has been extracted. If this was the problem, the outlet should be able to be reset after it has been cleaned; push the reset button, make sure you hear a click, and then plug anything in to ensure that the power is back on at that spot.

Examine the Signs and Symptoms

When a GFCI doesn’t reset, analyzing the symptoms can assist in establishing the root of the problem and lead to a remedy that can be implemented more quickly. The following are some illustrations that you can use as a starting point:

• If the Reset Button Doesn’t Pop Out, it’s possible that you haven’t pressed it far enough, that the electrical current isn’t getting to the outlet, or that the button is broken.
• The GFCI may be miswired, not receive an adequate amount of current, or the line and load may be in the wrong position if the reset button won’t stay in. It is also possible that there is a ground fault further downstream from the outflow.
• If the devices are operational, but the reset button is inoperable, either the line and load are in the wrong order, or the GFCI is broken.
• When nothing works, but the button is pressed, this could indicate a problem with the GFCI itself, or it could indicate that the wiring is incorrect, or it could indicate that the voltage levels are too low.
• When you turn on a device, the following menu will appear: There might be a problem with the wiring or a ground fault further downstream.

Several different aspects can make things more difficult. If a GFCI is protecting numerous downstream outlets, then a trip can be triggered by any one of them, regardless of where they are located. There is a possibility that the origin of the issue is not immediately apparent. Interrupters for ground fault circuits can also cause interference when they interact with one another. For instance, if one is in the bathroom, it may trigger another in the garage to trip.

In addition, there is a wide variety of brands and styles. Some may have push buttons that are angled awkwardly, making it more challenging to reset them. Designs that are difficult to manipulate present their own set of difficulties.

If your GFCI keeps going off, you might have to change the load, fix a connection in the wiring, or put in a new outlet. A skilled and qualified specialist should handle any repairs that need to be done. Fixing the problem if your GFCI won’t reset may seem like a simple task, but attempting to fix an electrical issue on your own puts you at risk for catastrophic injury and property damage.

 

Get in touch with Add On Electric Phoenix

Installing and repairing a GFCI outlet is more involved than working on a conventional outlet. Our electricians are used to the correct positioning, wiring, and operation of GFCI outlets in the home. We can help increase safety and ensure that your property complies with the code, even if your house does not have one or if a component is broken. You can get more information about why your GFCI won’t reset, submit a repair request online, or call 602-980-8056 to get an appointment for today.