gfci test button on new breaker

[petee_c]

Newb.

upgrading my EV charging circuit at the cottage to a GFCI.

Got the new breaker online. It's a square D 50 amp breaker.

Test button doesn't do anything when breaker is in my hand (not installed in the panel yet). Is this normal? I'm guessing it requires power to work?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Needs power to work

 

[Zeke]

Needs power to work ..........

 

[kaffine]

What the test button does is to allow a small current to bypass the sensor circuit so it thinks there is a ground fault.

 

[FredWanaker]

well, I got a good laugh before bedtime. The breaker has to be connected to work. It kind of read like I get in my car and it doesn't go anywhere when the keys are still in the house. What's up with that.

 

[Zeke]

I tested a new breaker just out of the box and not installed. Yep, it clicked. Must be good.

 

[exmaxima1]

A slight tangent to this thread, but I just installed a new GFI outlet on the outside of my house and no power would come out. I traced my new wiring back to the fuse box and no issues. I replaced the new GFI outlet and it now works. How odd is it to have a defective new outlet?

 

[Zeke]

A slight tangent to this thread, but I just installed a new GFI outlet on the outside of my house and no power would come out. I traced my new wiring back to the fuse box and no issues. I replaced the new GFI outlet and it now works. How odd is it to have a defective new outlet?

Not odd to have any china stuff DOA. You didn't say, I just assumed you went to a box or hardware store.

 

[JordanOH]

About 1 out of 10 we install are junk out of the box or fail very quickly.

 

[nadogail]

When you select your materials based on the lowest cost, the quality is very likely as low as the price.

 

[exmaxima1]

When you select your materials based on the lowest cost, the quality is very likely as low as the price.

It was a Hubbell. Not sure of COO

 

[sparky 1971]

A slight tangent to this thread, but I just installed a new GFI outlet on the outside of my house and no power would come out. I traced my new wiring back to the fuse box and no issues. I replaced the new GFI outlet and it now works. How odd is it to have a defective new outlet?

It happens. I've had the best luck using P&S, but once in a blue moon will have a defective device. The same with breakers. I've had junk Square D and Siemens out of the box and I'm sure there is a failure rate among other manufacturers, but I don't use them often enough to have an opinion.

 

[Norcal]

It was a Hubbell. Not sure of COO

No manufacturer makes them in the US.