GFCI Outlet Not Working: What To Do
Sometimes a GFCI outlet not working is a minor issue that you can resolve by pressing the reset button.
If that doesn’t work, however, the situation may appear bad but don’t panic yet. We will explain common reasons that GFCI stop working in Connecticut homes.
What Is a GFCI Outlet?
A GFCI outlet is a fast-acting circuit breaker that’s designed to shut off or block power in the event of a ground fault in less than 1/40th of a second.
The purpose of these outlets is to protect us from electric shocks and burns.
As a result, GFCI outlets are typically installed in locations where there’s a high risk of electrical shocks, such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements, garages, and outdoor areas.
Reasons GFCI Outlet Isn’t Working
Here are some of the possible causes for a GFCI outlet to stop working.
Current Leakage
Current leakage, or ground fault, happens when a live wire comes into contact with an appliance’s grounded metal or suffers from an insulation failure.
When a GFCI detects the slightest current leakage, it immediately stops working.
Circuit Overload
When an outlet can’t handle the amount of amperage that flows through it, the outlet can get overloaded, causing it to trip.
When you plug in a faulty appliance, you are likely to experience circuit overload.
It may also occur if there are any loose, corroded wires or connections.
Moisture Accumulation
Whether the culprit is rain or high humidity, moisture build-up in a GFCI outlet’s receptacle box can damage it.
Most of the time, an outdoor GFCI outlet not working isn’t weatherproofed and locked, which makes it susceptible to tripping.
Faulty Wiring
A new GFCI outlet that isn’t working no matter what you do could be due to faulty structural wiring.
In addition, an outlet connected to the same circuit that isn’t part of the house’s original wiring can trip the GFCI outlet.
Faulty GFCI Outlet
If you address all of the issues and the GFCI still doesn’t work, the problem is most likely with the outlet itself.
While GFCI outlets can last for a long time, they can fail after only five years.
Call a Qualified Electrician
If all else fails, there’s a good chance the problem is more complicated than a simple DIY solution.
Structural wiring is a complicated system, and it’s not always easy to pinpoint the source of the problem, especially if the previous steps haven’t fixed the outlet.
At this point, you should have a qualified electrician inspect the situation.