Circuit will not reset

Yesterday I was running my compressor on a GFCI outlet and tripped the breaker. When I went to reset the tripped circuit, I noted it would not go to the fully off position. I could flip it to on but the circuit would not turn on.

The GFCI outlet does not have a solid click on the buttons which I attribute to the lack of power.

It's a 15 amp circuit with not much else on it. The compressor has a large surge but has run on a similar 15 amp GFCI before and does work on another outlet.

I'm wondering if I should change the circuit breaker or if I could have fried the outlet.

Any ideas?

 

The size of the GCI receptacle has little bearing on the circuit capacity.

It would appear that you have a defective breaker as it won't reset.
The only way to know if the breaker is the problem or the receptacle is to check first at the breaker for power.

 

Thanks Pete. I have never experienced a breaker going bad before so wasn't sure if that happens.

I'll test for power at the buss bar and swap out the breaker.

 

Yea it was a bad breaker. It used a slotted screw for the terminal which makes me suspect it's one of the older ones as the newer ones in there use a square drive.

How often do these go bad?

Thanks again for your help!

 

Most breakers never go bad. For the most part circuit breakers are pretty reliable.

 

Should I be worried about a bigger problem or just a fluke caused by the high draw?

 

I don't see any sign of a bigger issue. Just change the breaker and you should be good to go.

Most compressors like to be connected to a 20A circuit.

 

Thanks - noted for next time