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Reliable and Long Lived GFCI outlets

ArtisanFarms

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 24, 2020
Messages
98
Location
Phelps, NY
Are there any brands of GFCIs in either 15A or 20A that hold up over time? Every one I have ever installed has crapped out within a few years of being installed, despite rarely, if ever, being tripped.
 
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Higgins

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Joined
Dec 25, 2009
Messages
1,936
Location
Shepheardsville, KY
Don't purchase the cheep ones.....

I finished up an ole box of Leviton's i purchased yrs ago. and at that time they were north of $27 ea, AND they are still ticking !!!
 

Chris130

Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2013
Messages
21
Location
Minneapolis MN
Also a Leviton fan here. I have some I installed 12 years ago when I moved in and they are still doing great. I like that the green LED is normally illuminated - it's intuitive and helpful to verify with a quick glance that nothing's tripped. Other brands do odd / unintuitive things with their indicators. I like the consistency.
 

Norcal

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Joined
Mar 16, 2008
Messages
13,758
Hubbell, P&S, or Leviton, you buy off breed brands & you'll get what you deserve, there are no GFCI receptacles made in the USA.
 

TractorJeff

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Joined
Dec 8, 2013
Messages
3,309
Location
Elkhorn, WI
We had a similar discussion a few weeks ago as I have some that nuisance trip.
Anyways I was working a few days ago and shut off something, sure enough a few tripped. I "THOUGHT" I looked at the logos and saw they are(?) a name brand which leads me to conclude that some Manufacturers make a "Builders Grade" also.
Moral of the story is the Fluorescent Trouble Light I use did NOT trip the outlets yesterday like it OCCASIONALY does!
I can double check later today.
 

nadogail

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Joined
Jan 23, 2009
Messages
31,961
Location
Coronado, CA
When you buy the cheapest anything, the only thing you can be assured of is, you are not going to get the best.

Buy name brand electrical equipment and shop for middle grade or better.
 

Norcal

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Joined
Mar 16, 2008
Messages
13,758
When you buy the cheapest anything, the only thing you can be assured of is, you are not going to get the best.

Buy name brand electrical equipment and shop for middle grade or better.

In other words, don’t buy GFCI’s & cord caps and connectors at Harbor Freight. :lol_hitti :evil:
 
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reader2580

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Joined
Dec 31, 2014
Messages
14,547
Location
Minneapolis, MN
I have had Leviton GFCI in my current house for the past six years. Never had to replace one nor had any sort of issue. I also had Leviton GFCI for 12 years in my previous house with the same great track record.
 

2gslse

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 9, 2014
Messages
139
I have replac:eek:ed several gfci's in short order at my house and finally replaced them with regular outlets and a gfci breaker on the entire circuit feeding them. No more issues and overall lower cost since gfci receptacles add up fast
I used some from big box stores and also 20a hospital grade they both failed within 2 years.
 

Crazyjake8493

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Joined
Sep 26, 2014
Messages
3,968
Location
Upstate NY
A lot of failures over a few years could be pointing to a larger issue.

I've only ever installed Leviton and Legrand/Pass&Seymour and have not had one failure on any of them, including several with highly regular use.
 

justsam

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Joined
Aug 20, 2010
Messages
1,267
Location
Penngrove, California
I have replac:eek:ed several gfci's in short order at my house and finally replaced them with regular outlets and a gfci breaker on the entire circuit feeding them. No more issues and overall lower cost since gfci receptacles add up fast
I used some from big box stores and also 20a hospital grade they both failed within 2 years.

I could not agree more! I replaced several Water Resistant brand name GFCI receptacles before I got wise to GFCI breakers. Fortunately I have a garage sub panel with room for them. Only issue is now it is difficult to find a Decora WR rated non GFCI receptacle! No more issues of GFCI receptacle getting hidden behind work bench, cabinet, etc. Protection covers whole circuit from panel to receptacle, and no arguing what needs to be on GFCI, because all receptacles are!
 
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A

ArtisanFarms

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 24, 2020
Messages
98
Location
Phelps, NY
I'm seeing several recommendations to use GFCIs in the panel. I have a Sqaure D QO panel in the house. Has anyone had issues with the Sqaure D QO GFCI breakers?
 
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