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Started By
Message
GFCI tripped.. Do I need an electrician?
Posted on 2/26/16 at 11:11 pm
Posted on 2/26/16 at 11:11 pm
Bathroom has three switches.. two lights and a vent. All were on, and when the wife turned the vent and one light off, the GFCI tripped on an outlet located on another wall. The switch panel had a very slight electrical burn smell. I looked inside and didn't see any obvious burn marks, but I plan to replace it anyway (along with the vent fan, which has been sounding kind of rough).
Think I'll be alright after that, or do I need an electrician to come out and check everything?
Think I'll be alright after that, or do I need an electrician to come out and check everything?
14
Posted on 2/26/16 at 11:13 pm to Korkstand
Stick your finger in it and see
Better yet try your tongue for better accuracy
Better yet try your tongue for better accuracy
Posted on 2/26/16 at 11:17 pm to Korkstand
Ifvthe gfi tripped that means it works , hit the reset button .....
Posted on 2/26/16 at 11:18 pm to Korkstand
The vent is pulling too much current. Isolate the vent.
Posted on 2/26/16 at 11:26 pm to Korkstand
quote:Nice try blaming it on her and then editing it out.
wife
Pics?
No one here can tell you with 100% certainty whether you are safe or not or need the services of an electrician or not. Anytime a GFCI trips, it means something out of the ordinary is going on. The GFCI itself could be faulty (pun intended). I'd start there and the fan would be my next suspect. Then it could be a wiring issue, and the diagnosis and remedy of that is more complex than the average DIY dude is up for.
Good luck, I doubt your house will catch farr tonight, if it will make you sleep better, turn off the breaker that feeds that circuit and get on it tomorrow.
PS: Pics, SECOND Request
This post was edited on 2/26/16 at 11:27 pm
Posted on 2/26/16 at 11:27 pm to Korkstand
quote:
the GFCI tripped on an outlet located on another wall.
I don't understand how this can happen. A GFCI outlet tripping shouldn't be affected by anything else on the branch circuit.
Also, GFCI isn't overcurrent protection. It trips when the current leaving the receptacle is greater than the current entering the receptacle (ie 8A of current is leaving but only 7.5A is entering because the wife dropped the hair dryer into the tub and .5A is going to ground via the pipes). To my knowledge, drawing more current than the GFCI receptacle is rated (say 20A on a 15A receptacle) will not trip it. And if it were properly designed, the panel breaker would trip before any issues occurred with the receptacle.
I'm only a beginner EE, so I honestly don't know how what she did would cause a GFCI to trip. Are you sure the GFCI outlet tripped and NOT the breaker on the panel?
ETA: Pics?
ETA2: Of the wife, not the breaker panel/GFCI.
ETA3: Pics of the wife standing in front of the panel and GFCI receptacle would prove the most useful.
This post was edited on 2/27/16 at 12:16 am
Posted on 2/26/16 at 11:36 pm to Korkstand
Time for some new switches.
Posted on 2/26/16 at 11:56 pm to tokenasian37
quote:
Time for some new switches,
I'm not a professional but I'd agree with this sentiment. The whole point of GFCI switches is to avoid shite like what happened to you in the first place.
Posted on 2/26/16 at 11:57 pm to Korkstand
I re-read your question and see that it's happening when switches are turned OFF.
Here's a thread with some ideas as to what's going on with one or two decent guesses (key word: guesses):
LINK
and here's a thread with more guesses without a scientific answer, but a practical one (replace your GFCI receptacle):
LINK /
Here's a thread with some ideas as to what's going on with one or two decent guesses (key word: guesses):
LINK
and here's a thread with more guesses without a scientific answer, but a practical one (replace your GFCI receptacle):
LINK /
Posted on 2/27/16 at 3:29 am to THRILLHO
Your knowledge is correct.
If everything follows code, the receptacle should be protected by the circuit breaker.
And I hate wiring lights and receptacles together. I understand it isn't a code violation, but I really don't like when folks do that.
If everything follows code, the receptacle should be protected by the circuit breaker.
And I hate wiring lights and receptacles together. I understand it isn't a code violation, but I really don't like when folks do that.
Posted on 2/27/16 at 3:46 am to Korkstand
just me but i'm a think small and work your way up type. but did you check to see if the bulb blew or did the power to the light cut? not saying what you smelled was the bulb but could be the root.
Posted on 2/27/16 at 3:47 am to xLxSxUxFxAxNx
also not an electrician... just a troubleshooter.
Posted on 2/27/16 at 4:34 am to Korkstand
Check to see if the GFCI will reset. If not, then it probably burned up internally because it was getting weak and its normal for them to go bad. I've had them go bad right out of the box before. They will smell awful when they do burn up too so that could be your source of the smell. And when I say burn up I am referring to internally not an actual fire so don't go freaking out.
Posted on 2/27/16 at 5:00 am to TigerfanfromMaryland
quote:
Check to see if the GFCI will reset. If not, then it probably burned up internally because it was getting weak and its normal for them to go bad. I've had them go bad right out of the box before. They will smell awful when they do burn up too so that could be your source of the smell. And when I say burn up I am referring to internally not an actual fire so don't go freaking out.
This or the vent fan motor ground out. Turn the power off, get a ladder and remove the vent fan cover and with a meter, test the fan motor to see if it grounded out(if it's bad).
Posted on 2/27/16 at 5:03 am to tunechi
quote:
Stick your finger in it and see
Better yet try your tongue for better accuracy
The wife or the outlet?
Posted on 2/27/16 at 5:49 am to Korkstand
Rip all the electrical wiring in the house and start over..that'll be your best bet
Posted on 2/27/16 at 5:49 am to THRILLHO
quote:
I don't understand how this can happen. A GFCI outlet tripping shouldn't be affected by anything else on the branch circuit.
Also, GFCI isn't overcurrent protection. It trips when the current leaving the receptacle is greater than the current entering the receptacle (ie 8A of current is leaving but only 7.5A is entering because the wife dropped the hair dryer into the tub and .5A is going to ground via the pipes). To my knowledge, drawing more current than the GFCI receptacle is rated (say 20A on a 15A receptacle) will not trip it. And if it were properly designed, the panel breaker would trip before any issues occurred with the receptacle.
I'm only a beginner EE, so I honestly don't know how what she did would cause a GFCI to trip. Are you sure the GFCI outlet tripped and NOT the breaker on the panel?
True analysis.
Overload protection is provided by the circuit breaker, not the GFCI.
Posted on 2/27/16 at 7:14 am to Korkstand
1.GFCI receptacle or breaker?
2.If receptacle find out what is downstream of the gfci receptacle and unplug everything from it. Test again
3.It might be just a weak GFCI outlet. How old is it? Replace it and go from there might be cheapest option
2.If receptacle find out what is downstream of the gfci receptacle and unplug everything from it. Test again
3.It might be just a weak GFCI outlet. How old is it? Replace it and go from there might be cheapest option
Posted on 2/27/16 at 8:14 am to Korkstand
Posted on 2/27/16 at 9:10 am to ChineseBandit58
I sure hope you guys are not in the house wiring business or an EE working in residential design (don't think that actually happens much, anyway). BY code, a GFCI outlet can be used as branch protection for items needing Ground Fault protection. That typically will include all circuits located in the Bathroom area and often outdoor outlets unless the load will require an additional circuit. Many homeowners find their garage door openers on the same circuit.
You are correct in that primary branch circuit over current protection is provided by the circuit breaker, but ground fault protection is often provided by a GFCI outlet
The fact that the event occurred when the light/fan was being turned off makes me suspicious of the switch. The fan is the next logical place to look. If you have an ohm meter, you could check the fan for a short to ground, but replacing the switch seems a good start.
You are correct in that primary branch circuit over current protection is provided by the circuit breaker, but ground fault protection is often provided by a GFCI outlet
The fact that the event occurred when the light/fan was being turned off makes me suspicious of the switch. The fan is the next logical place to look. If you have an ohm meter, you could check the fan for a short to ground, but replacing the switch seems a good start.
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