5 Tips For Troubleshooting GFCI Outlets

Because they aren’t standard outlets, when a GFCI outlet loses power, it can be more difficult to identify the issue.

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Here are some tips to help you troubleshoot a dead GFCI outlet.

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Push the Test button, and with a mighty “click,” the outlet will go dead. The Reset button resets the circuit interrupter and, ideally, restores power. Your GFCI outlet may simply need to be reset.

If an outlet is dead, the problem might not be at the outlet itself. There could be a problem with the electricity from upstream on the same circuit.

Check your panel, and if the circuit breaker is tripped, move the handle firmly to the Off position, then firmly to the On position.

One of these may be tripped, cutting power to any downstream outlets. If this is the case, simply reset the GFCI outlet in question.

If the wires are loose, this may result in small arcing, which the outlet will detect as a ground fault.

Likewise, if wires are connected to incorrect terminals, the GFCI outlet will trip. Fixing either of these problems are fairly easy tasks, but require caution.

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