GFCI Failure

[mrVanagon]

Hey guys. About 2 months ago I replaced a GFCI for a friend. It's in a weather-proof box on the outside of his garage. The old GFI (that I removed) was permanently tripped. When I removed it I found that the ground wire in the box was not connected to the GFI at all. I put in a new GFI and added a pigtail to the ground in the box. It worked fine for a few weeks but now the new GFI has also permanently tripped. Does anyone have any ideas what's likely going on here? The GFI I installed was one of the WR, TR models from Eaton (bought at Lowe's). Any input is appreciated.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

First off, GFCIs dont care about and dont need an EGC to function.

When u say permanently tripped does that mean u tried to reset it and it wont reset? If so, that means theres a fault.

Does this GFCI feed any other outlets or lights?

 

[pattenp]

Do you know it's permanently tripped due to being bad or is there a ground fault that's not letting you to reset it?

 

[nh_yota]

Modern GFCI's need power to be reset. If you try to push the reset button with the power off it will not catch.

 

[mrVanagon]

Looks like the trouble was operator error. My friend told me that the thing would not reset. I went to investigate today and found the GFI tripped but had no trouble resetting it myself. Seems he didn't press the reset button hard enough after tripping it with some questionable lights. Thanks for the replies and the effort from all.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Welcome to the group Mr. Vanagon, It least it was some thing easy

 

[theoldwizard1]

GFCI Troubleshooting

 

[mrVanagon]

Thanks Wiz! That chart could be handy in my near future.

 

[joel63]

GFCI Troubleshooting

Thanks for chart.