GFI random pops

[SGKent]

I have an outdoor outlet in a box next to the slider door. It does not get wet and it has a lift door and seal on it. Originally it was a non-gfi outlet because the house was built in 1979. Sometimes the gfi will be popped when I go to use it. Reset and it will be fine but maybe 3 months later I go to use it again and it will be popped. When the house siding was replaced, I looked over all that wiring carefully and made sure there were no nails in it etc.. This outlet is at the end of a run but it ties in with the back of the house light - again installed in 1979. I also have a gfi in the bathroom that does the same thing. Sometimes it will pop when either of the bathroom lights are turned off. Never once in 30 years has either outlet popped its breaker. Do these things just randomly pop from stray voltages or do I have ghosts in the house? The outside box is metal and is well caulked to keep out moisture and bugs.

 

[HOTFR8]

I had the same issue when I dimmed lights on a seperate circuit. The solution may be to get a couple of items with issues moved to a different circuit. Some one else may have a better idea.

 

[jeffmattero76]

When they are working correctly, a GFCI will trip when there is a ground fault (hence the name, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter).

A common ground fault would be something like a hair dryer dropped into a sink full of water. The GFCI senses the current coming in on the hot wire and going out on the neutral wire. The current should be equal. If it is not equal, the GFCI trips. Are you sure that there is no water getting to them? Current code is that an outside receptacle must have an "in use" cover, which is a plastic bubble like contraption that allows a wire to go in the bottom and plug into the outlet, while the plastic bubble remains closed and weather tight. The spring loaded covers are not adequate in current code. Is it possible that water or moisture is getting to the outlets?

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[SGKent]

When they are working correctly, a GFCI will trip when there is a ground fault (hence the name, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter).

A common ground fault would be something like a hair dryer dropped into a sink full of water. The GFCI senses the current coming in on the hot wire and going out on the neutral wire. The current should be equal. If it is not equal, the GFCI trips. Are you sure that there is no water getting to them? Current code is that an outside receptacle must have an "in use" cover, which is a plastic bubble like contraption that allows a wire to go in the bottom and plug into the outlet, while the plastic bubble remains closed and weather tight. The spring loaded covers are not adequate in current code. Is it possible that water or moisture is getting to the outlets?

Sent from my SM-G530T using Tapatalk

metal cover from 1979. Seal is good. It is under an awning that is at least 8' wider than where it is in any direction except the house. There is dry concrete under the awning as well. No hose ever hits it. It can happen in the dead of summer too when we don't have rain or moisture for 3 months. I have never caught it popping. The bathroom ones do when the lights or hair dryers are switched off sometimes. Maybe an inductive load collapsing trips them. The outdoor lights are LED's, and they were florescent before that.

 

[Norcal]

I have an outdoor outlet in a box next to the slider door. It does not get wet and it has a lift door and seal on it. Originally it was a non-gfi outlet because the house was built in 1979. Sometimes the gfi will be popped when I go to use it. Reset and it will be fine but maybe 3 months later I go to use it again and it will be popped. When the house siding was replaced, I looked over all that wiring carefully and made sure there were no nails in it etc.. This outlet is at the end of a run but it ties in with the back of the house light - again installed in 1979. I also have a gfi in the bathroom that does the same thing. Sometimes it will pop when either of the bathroom lights are turned off. Never once in 30 years has either outlet popped its breaker. Do these things just randomly pop from stray voltages or do I have ghosts in the house? The outside box is metal and is well caulked to keep out moisture and bugs.

A GFCI would have been required in 1979, but Sacramento County may have let it slide, they did allow 8/2 NM to supply a electric range, perhaps replacing the GFCI with a quality brand such as, Hubbell, P & S, or Leviton, would be a place to start.

 

[strutaeng]

Are you by any chance barefoot or wearing sandals when it trips? I've had mine trip under those conditions, also when standing on wet (or damp) surfaces. They are finicky, but that's just the nature of the beast.

You can buy those plug in testers that tell you if the device is wired correctly. I would try that. It's a great tool for any homeowner really.

It sounds like it's doing its job...

 

[SGKent]

A GFCI would have been required in 1979, but Sacramento County may have let it slide, they did allow 8/2 NM to supply a electric range, perhaps replacing the GFCI with a quality brand such as, Hubbell, P & S, or Leviton, would be a place to start.

I'll give it a try.