GFI won't reset in garage
#1
06-19-10, 04:15 AM
GFI won't reset in garage
I have found great information on this forum, but cannot find anything that I feel addresses my GFI problem. So, any advice is greatly appreciated.
One of the two GFI's in my garage won't reset. It keeps popping. Connected to this GFI are three outlets, an outdoor photo sensor which controls four spot lights on the front of the house.
The house was built in 1998 and the electrician installed these outdoor lights. The fixtures are a basic $3 spot lights connected to a PVC post and is burried in the ground. He did use outdoor wire, but did not put any of the wire in conduit. I have had to replace one of the fixtures because of water and weather.
It is a 15 amp GFI and 15 amp breaker in the panel. I would say that this GFI has had to be reset more than any other GFI in and around the house.
There is nothing I can think of that has changed, but one day the GFI would no longer reset. You can here it reset and immediately pop.
I replaced the GFI and tested with my little gauge, which lit up, but it still will not reset.
Next, I disconnected one of the spot light fixtures and rewired it. I see that the wires in the wirenuts were all somewhat rusty, which I assume is from being outside for 10+ years in nothing but a conduit post.
Can you please tell me what my next step would be to try to resolve this issue.
Thanks!
One of the two GFI's in my garage won't reset. It keeps popping. Connected to this GFI are three outlets, an outdoor photo sensor which controls four spot lights on the front of the house.
The house was built in 1998 and the electrician installed these outdoor lights. The fixtures are a basic $3 spot lights connected to a PVC post and is burried in the ground. He did use outdoor wire, but did not put any of the wire in conduit. I have had to replace one of the fixtures because of water and weather.
It is a 15 amp GFI and 15 amp breaker in the panel. I would say that this GFI has had to be reset more than any other GFI in and around the house.
There is nothing I can think of that has changed, but one day the GFI would no longer reset. You can here it reset and immediately pop.
I replaced the GFI and tested with my little gauge, which lit up, but it still will not reset.
Next, I disconnected one of the spot light fixtures and rewired it. I see that the wires in the wirenuts were all somewhat rusty, which I assume is from being outside for 10+ years in nothing but a conduit post.
Can you please tell me what my next step would be to try to resolve this issue.
Thanks!
#2
06-19-10, 04:32 AM
The GFCI has a "line" and a "load" set of terminals. Disconnect the "load" side from the GFCI and energize it again to see if it will reset. If so, then the wiring from the GFCI to the remaining receptacles and lights has a fault. Are the receptacles between the GFCI and the lights? If so, remove the wire from the last receptacle before it goes to the lights, reattach the load side wires and see if it trips. If so, it would be the wiring to the lamps. That is my gut feeling where it is anyway, since they have minimal weather protection. Better lighting may help keep the moisture down as well.
