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GFCI circuit breaker won't reset...?
I have an regular outlet(not GFCI) in my bathroom and it is worn out to the point that it won't hold a plug. I went to replace it, but I wanted to test if it was GFCI protected. I put on my tester which indicated that it was indeed GFCI protected, and I tested it by pressing the button on the tester. It tripped the GFCI. It turns out that it is protected by a GFCI circuit breaker in the panel board (the ones with a test button).
The problem came when I went to reset the panel breaker. I click it positively to the "off" positiion then positively back to the "on" position. This does not restore power. I've looked to see if there are any GFCI receptable breakers, but have not found anything.
Are there any other things I am missing before I call an electrician? I did not change any wiring. I simply tested the circuit and now it won't restore power. Could the panel circuit breaker go bad?
3 Answers
- Spock (rhp)Lv 73 years agoFavorite Answer
yes, the panel breakers do have a limited life ... number of times it can be tripped.
your multimeter can test the potential in the hot lead from the GFCI while it is in the panel [just take off the cover -- CAREFULLY]. this will tell you if the problem is the GFCI breaker or somewhere farther down the line.
frequently, these GFCI circuits are wired up to cover multiple outlets ... bathrooms and exterior are very common. they are also frequently "all in a row" -- with the farther ones depending on the nearer ones.
now, suppose some "didn't know enough" prior homeowner, thinking the circuit was unprotected, put a GFCI outlet in the first location in the string [usually closest to the breaker box] -- your test might well have tripped both GFCI breakers, but you only reset the one .....
if that's the case, you need to reduce the number of GFCIs in the circuit to one. If possible, I'd do that by taking out the one in the outlet [and putting a regular outlet in its place].
Source(s): grampa - dtstellwagenLv 73 years ago
GFCI receptacles and breakers wear out and fail, this why they have a test buttons. You will likely need to have the breaker replaced.
- ?Lv 53 years ago
If you have a meter check power an where the power dies the problem lies. Do you know all plugs that are on this circuit an are any gfci. Could just be that the breaker has went bad. Gfci outlets/breaker are more prone to go bad but it's better safe than sorry.
