GFCI Issue

OK so this has had me stumped for a while. I have a GFCI outside that will not reset. Last winter I was snow blowing my driveway and I picked up an extension cord that was in the driveway (plugged into the GFCI) and ripped the cord in half. Ever since then the GFCI isn't working correctly.

The GFCI that was in place (brand new) would no longer reset. I put another one in place and it's a GFCI with an audible alarm, the outlet provides power no problem but the alarm just constantly sounds.

I don't know if it's coincidence or not but we seem to be blowing a lot of light bulbs and also even our stove elements are giving out...now it's an old stove, it could be coincidence but I'm starting to wonder if it's all related.

Any thoughts??

 

Are there other receptacles on the circuit? Have you checked the connections and weather tightness of those receptacles if outside? Any outside receptacle with anything plugged in, especially with no in-use cover, would be suspect.

 

Also check in the garage for a tripped GFCI. It could be feeding the redundant one in the lawn. Often if one trips, the other will trip. Be sure to check behind all those stacked boxes along the wall for a GFCI, as they tend to hide themselves from view.

Oops you said you have an audible alarm sounding outside?? Could be corrosion as Ray stated, to any of the connectors in that GFCI, or other receptacles on that circuit.

 

Welcome to the forums!

You have a GFCI receptacle now that will not reset? Or you had one before you replaced it?

If the new receptacle that you installed is a GFCI that is made to sound an alarm when it is tripped (such as a Legrand 1595TRAW) and it is sounding the alarm while providing power to plug-connected appliances, then one of two things is true: either the device is faulty or it isn't connected properly.

Tell us how many cables enter the box where this receptacle is mounted, how many wires are in each cable, and how each wire is terminated. Most importantly, have you identified the pair of wires bringing the circuit from your panel and connected those two conductors to the LINE terminals on your new receptacle, in proper polarity?

How do you know the receptacle is providing good power?

How have you tested the receptacle and the wires feeding it?

Does your new receptacle trip when you push its TEST button? Does it reset when you push that button? Have you tested it with a plug-in GFCI tester?