GFI mystery - can you rewire the circuit?
#1
05-19-16, 06:35 AM
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GFI mystery - can you rewire the circuit?
A few years ago over Christmas our GFI circuit blew out with rain on a loose plug. I attempted to reset the various GFI plugs around the house but none would reset.
Since then I have had three different electricians in the house searching high and low for the blown circuit, none have been able to find it. They have tested every GFI plug, cut holes in the basement ceiling looking for "hidden" GFIs, etc. Still that circuit remains dead.
Is it possible to "re-power" that circuit by running a new line from the panel, or will the blown GFI still trip us up (pardon the pun).?
Without having to rewire the entire GFI run, which would be nearly impossible, what options are there to get electricity back into that circuit?
Thanks
Since then I have had three different electricians in the house searching high and low for the blown circuit, none have been able to find it. They have tested every GFI plug, cut holes in the basement ceiling looking for "hidden" GFIs, etc. Still that circuit remains dead.
Is it possible to "re-power" that circuit by running a new line from the panel, or will the blown GFI still trip us up (pardon the pun).?
Without having to rewire the entire GFI run, which would be nearly impossible, what options are there to get electricity back into that circuit?
Thanks
#2
05-19-16, 06:54 AM
Member
Hard to believe that a competent electrician can't trace backward from the outlet to find the problem.
But yes, a new circuit can be run to that location, the old wiring capped off, and a new GFCI installed. If the box is small and there are too many wires to allow a new circuit to be added into the existing box, that box could be abandoned with a blank cover and a new box installed nearby for the new circuit.
But yes, a new circuit can be run to that location, the old wiring capped off, and a new GFCI installed. If the box is small and there are too many wires to allow a new circuit to be added into the existing box, that box could be abandoned with a blank cover and a new box installed nearby for the new circuit.
#3
05-19-16, 08:40 AM
Group Moderator
This is a wake up call telling you to make a list of everything in the house and what circuit it's on. If you knew everything on that circuit it would be easy to check and locate the problem.
#4
05-19-16, 08:58 AM
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Welcome. I also find it hard to believe this can't be traced down, especially by an electrician.
How can you search high and low for the blown circuit, and then "re-power" that circuit without knowing the circuit? A rhetorical question.
Just treat the circuit as if there are no GFCI's. You will have one source and the source will continue downstream. If need be, pull out all the GFCI's and any other devices to where you're down to cable and wires only.
How can you search high and low for the blown circuit, and then "re-power" that circuit without knowing the circuit? A rhetorical question.
Just treat the circuit as if there are no GFCI's. You will have one source and the source will continue downstream. If need be, pull out all the GFCI's and any other devices to where you're down to cable and wires only.
#5
05-19-16, 09:08 AM
Forum Topic Moderator
A toner could be used to follow the path of the wiring. Simply turning off the breaker could tell you everything on the circuit. Then it is just an Easter egg hunt to look for the problem. Hard to believe 3 electricians could not find the issue.
#6
05-20-16, 10:56 AM
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Thanks for the suggestion. I don't think any of the three had a toner device. I will try to find another contractor and specifically ask if they have a toner or other diagnostic device.
It is hard to believe, I'm with you all there. It was unbelievable for us to have 3 guys come through and spend 10-12 hours in total, and still not find the problem. The first two were independent contractors, the third was with a large company. It baffled all of them. They tested every plug and the breaker.
I appreciate everyone's input and advice.
It is hard to believe, I'm with you all there. It was unbelievable for us to have 3 guys come through and spend 10-12 hours in total, and still not find the problem. The first two were independent contractors, the third was with a large company. It baffled all of them. They tested every plug and the breaker.
I appreciate everyone's input and advice.
#7
05-20-16, 02:45 PM
Member
Circuit
I attempted to reset the various GFI plugs around the house but none would reset.
#8
05-20-16, 03:31 PM
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I agree too many GFCI on one circuit can cause problems however sometimes you do need another GFCI on the same circuit like in the case of a plug being near a sink. You may have another GFCI on the same circuit which is preventing the other plugs from working including any other GFCI's on that same circuit. I agree you really need to check your circuits by turning each circuit off one by one and while doing that turn on a radio real loud and turning off the circuits until you can't hear the radio. After that mark each circuit until all locations are marked.
#9
05-20-16, 04:38 PM
Forum Topic Moderator
I agree too many GFCI on one circuit can cause problems however sometimes you do need another GFCI on the same circuit like in the case of a plug being near a sink.
