Troubleshooting Dead Outlet

[cgall]

I had a kitchen renovation done with new countertops and tile backsplash. Some months later, I noticed one of the GFCI outlets is dead. I replaced the GFCI, it has a green indicator light that is on, but still no juice. I swapped the GFCI with a known good one, same result. All of the wires are connected and tight, and I checked the next nearest outlet and all connections are tight. I picked up a test light and it is indicating "open hot." Since this is a GFCI, should I open up the panel or ???

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Less than a year since you got a CO? Call the electrician back. It's probably still under warranty...

 

[cgall]

There was no new electrical work, these are all original circuits on home built in 1997.

 

[stonesg]

Just start tracing all the conductors back to the panel.

Turn the breaker off first.

Generally checking the location of last work/change will locate a problem.

Is this a new circuit or were there changes made?

Are the connections to the outlet made with the screws and NOT using any of the "quick installation" **** like where you just strip the wire and push it into the hole. (My brother had his fridge outlet go intermittent because the installer had used the holes and through heat/cool the wire worked its way out enough so that it was just barely touching)

Work your way either from the panel to the outlet or the other way around and check each connection.

If you can't SEE the connection such as inside a wire nut remove it and check. I've seen connections where the wire was not stripped enough and the wire nut was only grabbing insulation.

Again.... Make sure you turn off the breaker and check that the outlet is off with that test light.

TG

 

[wyliesdiesels]

What a minute.

U used a test light on the GFCI and it says open hot?

Most GFCIs wont reset without there being power present.

Something doesnt add up here.

Can u remove the GFCI out of the box and test the incoming power wires at the screw terminals.

Maybe some wires are reversed.

 

[cgall]

Wylie you are the man! Tested load and line and they were reversed. I pulled out the instruction pamphlet for the GFCI and it would only reset if load was wired to the upper terminal. Most likely the older GFCI died and I did not wire the new one correctly.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Wylie you are the man! Tested load and line and they were reversed. I pulled out the instruction pamphlet for the GFCI and it would only reset if load was wired to the upper terminal. Most likely the older GFCI died and I did not wire the new one correctly.

Glad i could help.

Troubleshooting is my strong point and the majority of my past service calls were troubleshooting calls.

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

Simple mistake. Simple solution.

Fortunately the OP didn't waste too much time working on this problem.

 

[reader2580]

Why mention the kitchen remodeling if the electrical wasn't touched? The folks here are naturally going to assume the issue was caused by the remodeling.

Congrats on getting it fixed so easily.