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Message
Replacing GFCI receptacle with a breaker box not labeled
Posted on 7/14/24 at 9:36 pm
Posted on 7/14/24 at 9:36 pm
Moved into a new home and GFCI receptacle won’t reset. I can’t figure out why and decided I should try replacing it.
However, the breaker box isn’t labeled. Any tips on how to determine which breaker is which? Is it just easier to switch them all off and replace GFCi?
However, the breaker box isn’t labeled. Any tips on how to determine which breaker is which? Is it just easier to switch them all off and replace GFCi?
6
Posted on 7/14/24 at 9:50 pm to kciDAtaE
Kill main breaker to whole panel(confirm with meter to wires landed on the recep prior to touching)
Or
With your meter test the wires landed on the receptacle as you kill 1 breaker at a time until you find it. Then label
Or
With your meter test the wires landed on the receptacle as you kill 1 breaker at a time until you find it. Then label
This post was edited on 7/14/24 at 9:59 pm
Posted on 7/14/24 at 10:18 pm to kciDAtaE
Just use the main if you’re unsure and don’t have a reliable meter.
I’ve found the most likely reason it won’t reset is because some less than clever person put a GFI there when that branch already had one or a breaker is tripped. Failure is possible but less likely.
New home or new to you? What room?
I’ve found the most likely reason it won’t reset is because some less than clever person put a GFI there when that branch already had one or a breaker is tripped. Failure is possible but less likely.
New home or new to you? What room?
Posted on 7/14/24 at 10:38 pm to Dallaswho
quote:
New home or new to you? What room?
New to me. I believe this receptacle was added during a renovation. It’s an exterior receptacle that powers outdoor accent lighting, fountain, and at least one other exterior receptacle.
I think this is the case because it appears to be on the same circuit as a media room upstairs that was added at some point. That room has no power at all now that the GFCI tripped.
Posted on 7/14/24 at 10:54 pm to kciDAtaE
That doesn’t sound good. Still flip all breakers and check for more GFI outlets that may be tripped. Maybe outside or maybe in the garage.
I hoping the media room thing is a separate issue.
I hoping the media room thing is a separate issue.
Posted on 7/14/24 at 11:16 pm to Dallaswho
You'll want to label it one day.
I rewired my house after we replaced the panel and did it but a couple 2 way radios and your kids if you have em it makes it fun and they learn something. Flip one at a time and label.
Write in pencil first then come back.
They do make a fox and hound for locating breakers but that's a little more invasive.
I rewired my house after we replaced the panel and did it but a couple 2 way radios and your kids if you have em it makes it fun and they learn something. Flip one at a time and label.
Write in pencil first then come back.
They do make a fox and hound for locating breakers but that's a little more invasive.
Posted on 7/15/24 at 6:52 am to kciDAtaE
quote:
It’s an exterior receptacle that powers outdoor accent lighting, fountain, and at least one other exterior receptacle.
If you can, disconnect the fountain pump and exterior lighting. If it is simply unplugging, that is easy, otherwise, always check for power where you will disconnect it. Fountain pumps are notorious for tripping GFCIs. Once those are disconnected, try resetting the GFCI. If it resets, kill the breakers one at a time until you lose power on the GFCI circuit. Then reconnect the lighting and flip the breaker back on. If the GFCI does not trip, it probably means the pump is your issue. Repeat the process with the pump to verify.
Posted on 7/15/24 at 11:36 am to kciDAtaE
Is it tripping or is the GFCI tripping? Either way its unlikely the breaker malfunctioning. If the breaker is tripping you have a dead short in the circuit. If the GFCI is tripping you have a fault current somewhere in the circuit. If it is a newer home and its one of the damn arc fault breakers you probably have a wire that is slightly lose somewhere that will damn near impossible to find.
All of that said if you do not know already how to locate the breaker without the panel being labeled you are probably into deep....hire an electrician. If you want to find it and it won't stay set its going to be difficult even for an electrician.
All of that said if you do not know already how to locate the breaker without the panel being labeled you are probably into deep....hire an electrician. If you want to find it and it won't stay set its going to be difficult even for an electrician.
Posted on 7/15/24 at 1:21 pm to kciDAtaE
Could be a gfci breaker in line which would make that a waste of an outlet but see if another outlet is gfci and is flipped
Posted on 7/15/24 at 4:11 pm to Lsutigerturner
Thanks for the thoughts fellas. I figured it out. Remember this is a new home for me. Apparently they wired this exterior GFCI receptacle to a switch next to the front door. Not sure why.
Since the switch was off, the receptacle wasn’t getting any power and therefore wouldn’t reset. It was as simple as flipping the switch then resetting the receptacle.
Since the switch was off, the receptacle wasn’t getting any power and therefore wouldn’t reset. It was as simple as flipping the switch then resetting the receptacle.
Posted on 7/15/24 at 4:19 pm to kciDAtaE
Maybe a switched receptacle for Christmas lights?
Posted on 7/15/24 at 4:33 pm to Whisky Dent
I guess. But that would make more sense if the switch was near the back door. And a half receptacle
This post was edited on 7/15/24 at 4:36 pm
Posted on 7/15/24 at 7:30 pm to kciDAtaE
You should call a qualified electrician to get your upstairs room off of the load side of your GFCI and to replace the GFCI safely and correctly rather than potentially injuring yourself.
Posted on 7/15/24 at 7:41 pm to Squirrelmeister
quote:
You should call a qualified electrician to get your upstairs room off of the load side of your GFCI and to replace the GFCI safely and correctly rather than potentially injuring yourself.
He doesn’t need to replace or open up anything. Just explore and find out what objects are on what circuits and how they’re controlled or protected. First issue was a light switch flipped off. Second is likely just as simple. Again, hoping they are not related.
Posted on 7/15/24 at 8:03 pm to Dallaswho
He’s asking questions that demonstrate he obviously has no electrical knowledge or training. He doesn’t have a circuit tester or multimeter. Electrical energy is hazardous and can kill, even at 120V.
Posted on 7/15/24 at 10:08 pm to kciDAtaE
quote:
GFCI receptacle won’t reset
First thing you need to make sure of is that you definitely have power going to the receptacle. A lot of GFCI won’t reset if it is not sensing power coming in to it
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