Electrician needed to trouble shot several outlets not having power, all GFI. I can't

[Shimpy]

Just need electrician to trouble shoot.. I have most of my gfi outlets not working.

[Investment Painting Contractors]

I sent you a PM on how to check them. Len

[mtdjed]

Curious. How could there be a lot of GFI outlets not working? I have one go and I know it. Normally in the garage for an outside circuit. Fix is to reset and move on. One time had to replace GFI outlet that was defective. most of my problems have been floodlights accumulating water. Lights go out and I check floodlight.

[mulligan]

Depending on the age of the house, you may also have arc fault breakers in your panel. They will sometimes trip when an older electric motor is turned on.

[dewilson58]

Lenhart.


Good Guys.

[EastCoastDawg]

Just need electrician to trouble shoot.. I have most of my gfi outlets not working.

I was stumped when a GFI in the garage tripped and there seemed no way to reset it. Turns out it was linked with a GFI on the other side of the garage, and that one had the red reset button.

[rjm1cc]

No idea how all the different circuits can be tied together. But sometimes it is hard to tell if the fuse in the circuited breaker box is off. I would turn each on, then off and back on. Before that I would push all the GIF reset buttons. I had a problem and called an electrocution. After a 1/2 hour of testing the electrician found a GIF receptacle next to the circuit break box that I never paid attention too. Pushed the reset button and all was ok.

[villagetinker]

Just need electrician to trouble shoot.. I have most of my gfi outlets not working.

Shimpy, I can help you, please let me know the location of the outlets that are not working. Typically, all of the outside receptacles are protected by GFCI units in the garage (walls) receptacles. I have seen bathroom GFCI protect adjacent bathroom. Also, there are AFCI breakers that are used for (typically bedrooms, dining room, living rooms), and you may find GFCI breakers for some of the equipment in the kitchen. I may be able to help you over the phone, or I could come to the house. Send me a PM.

[randykw]

We just had Lenhart Electric fix a GFI outlet. They were great.

[nrichards]

I just had Electrical Works come out because my gfi circuit kept triping. They resolved the problem and were very reasonable.

[LoisR]

GFI breakers can go bad. Several in our home had to be replaced within the first year of ownership because of a GFI production issue and recall. Many homes still have those installed.

[Scorpyo]

I had a problem and called an electrocution
Ouch. I thought I was the only one to overreact. Pretty harsh response to a electrical problem.

[guitarguy]

Your GFI needs reset or is bad. Several outlets behind it are wired in a series to protect them as well. So they also go out.

[ValSetz]

I had a GFI not working in master bath. When trying to find out why found that MOST of the GFIs had been wired wrong. All were fixed. None of them indicated this problem until the master bath went out.

[askcarl]

I have two outlets on my patio that were "off" until I figured out they where being fed by a GFCI in the garage. Simple to walk around and make note of every GFCI in your house. One of them could be the issue.

[BlackhawksFan]

Curious. How could there be a lot of GFI outlets not working? I have one go and I know it. Normally in the garage for an outside circuit. Fix is to reset and move on. One time had to replace GFI outlet that was defective. most of my problems have been floodlights accumulating water. Lights go out and I check floodlight.

They wire them in series generally with one master usually at the kitchen sink.

[Marvic 1]

We just had Lenhart Electric fix a GFI outlet. They were great.

:ohdear:
It only take a push of a button to fix a GFI outlet, must of been a costly push....

[Marvic 1]

They wire them in series generally with one master usually at the kitchen sink.

Wrong! No Outlet is wired in series....

[erojohn]

CYV 12 yrs old
I had a similar problem with an outside outlet. Kept tripping gfi outlet in garage. Simple fix reset gfi in garage. It seemed to kick off during downpour or power washing. I had enclosed out lanai and didn’t like the looks of the weather proof cover so I decided to replace the cover with one that looks more pleasing. I looked inside and the connections were corroded and rusty. It didn’t look safe so it was replaced. I then checked other outside outlets and found the same problem. I think the builder put in the same type outlet as the indoor ones thinking the gfi And the outdoor cover would save the day. It hasn’t tripped since they were replaced but I have installed a plug in alarm/emergency light on the lanai to alert us when it trips. We have an auxiliary fridge with freezer in the garage with $$-$$$$ of meat on the same circuit. Now we sleep better at night. I almost sent the alarm back as the volume needs to be louder. Wife has no problem hearing it. I guess I’ll keep both.

[Dennis Keefe]

When our outlets don't work it's usually the GFI outlet in the garage that has to be reset.

[Old Bob]

Check each one of the outlets. One of them has a button you can push to reset them

[worahm]

If the GFI outlet is not working, push the reset button. If the GFI does not reset, there may be a ground fault in the circuit or the GFI outlet is defective. Unplug any appliance that is plugged into the circuit that may be causing the ground fault and push the reset button again. If it does not reset, and the GFI outlet has been in use for more then 6 or 7 years, it has exceeded it's life expectancy and is probably defective. GFI outlets mounted outside are more prone to early failure. There are GFI's that are designed to be used outside. Be certain to replace the defective GFI with a GFI of the same amp. rating. Usually 15 or 20 amps depending on it's location. Each wire must be connected to the proper terminal screw. Move one wire at a time to the same terminal on the new GFI. Be certain to turn off the circuit breaker before you touch the wires and read the directions before you move the wires. If you have never replaced a GFI, taking a photo of the wiring on the defective GFI may be a good idea. If you can read, rewiring a GFI is not rocket science.

[IvorT]

All of the replies seem sensible, but I have another observation. A few years ago, I attended a lecture given by a consultant engineer. He warned us, that since these things are electro MECHANICAL devices, they need testing regularly, otherwise they freeze up and then don’t work as fast, when they’re needed. I test Mine about once a year.

[Marvic 1]

All of the replies seem sensible, but I have another observation. A few years ago, I attended a lecture given by a consultant engineer. He warned us, that since these things are electro MECHANICAL devices, they need testing regularly, otherwise they freeze up and then don’t work as fast, when they’re needed. I test Mine about once a year.

Yep, that's why the test button is their.... :coolsmiley:

[Dust Bunny]

Curious. How could there be a lot of GFI outlets not working? I have one go and I know it. Normally in the garage for an outside circuit. Fix is to reset and move on. One time had to replace GFI outlet that was defective. most of my problems have been floodlights accumulating water. Lights go out and I check floodlight.

I would call Dennis Webb who does all sorts of odd jobs at very reasonable prices 404 -358-0984.

You might also try getting a simple tester to plug in the wall and it will indicate what's wrong by the color of the light. Available at any box store.

[RDinelle]

I was stumped when a GFI in the garage tripped and there seemed no way to reset it. Turns out it was linked with a GFI on the other side of the garage, and that one had the red reset button.
That’s EXACTLY what the issue was in our garage. Never seen that before as it is not code in Canada.

[rmd2]

John Kubiak 586-883-5153 from Ocala is very good. Today 7/26/20 he lowered a chandelier, fixed some outlets that were not properly working and did some light plumbing work. Everything works properly now. He is reasonable and can do a lot of handyman jobs.

[davem4616]

we've used Haye's lighting and Electric Services a couple of times and have been happy with them
352.536.3400

[old boggy]

Almost every time it rains or there is lightning in the area, my outside outlets go out. This is disturbing because my lanai is now a closed in room and that outlet goes out because it used to be an outside outlet. They are all fed from a GFCI outlet in the garage. This outlet in the garage gets fatigued from all the resetting and eventually needs to be replaced. They are not cheap either. I can do this replacement myself, but if you are not so inclined it can get really expensive if you have to hire an electrician to to it for you. I have had to do it 3 times now. My house was constructed in 2003.

[Topspinmo]

If the GFI outlet is not working, push the reset button. If the GFI does not reset, there may be a ground fault in the circuit or the GFI outlet is defective. Unplug any appliance that is plugged into the circuit that may be causing the ground fault and push the reset button again. If it does not reset, and the GFI outlet has been in use for more then 6 or 7 years, it has exceeded it's life expectancy and is probably defective. GFI outlets mounted outside are more prone to early failure. There are GFI's that are designed to be used outside. Be certain to replace the defective GFI with a GFI of the same amp. rating. Usually 15 or 20 amps depending on it's location. Each wire must be connected to the proper terminal screw. Move one wire at a time to the same terminal on the new GFI. Be certain to turn off the circuit breaker before you touch the wires and read the directions before you move the wires. If you have never replaced a GFI, taking a photo of the wiring on the defective GFI may be a good idea. If you can read, rewiring a GFI is not rocket science.

I never touch neutral or hot wire at same time unless the main circuit breaker tripped. Especially when for more that single wire harness going into outlet.

[Topspinmo]

Almost every time it rains or there is lightning in the area, my outside outlets go out. This is disturbing because my lanai is now a closed in room and that outlet goes out because it used to be an outside outlet. They are all fed from a GFCI outlet in the garage. This outlet in the garage gets fatigued from all the resetting and eventually needs to be replaced. They are not cheap either. I can do this replacement myself, but if you are not so inclined it can get really expensive if you have to hire an electrician to to it for you. I have had to do it 3 times now. My house was constructed in 2003.


You may have corrosion from outside wiring and leak. When it rains water tripped the GFCI? First place I would look it the front yard light? Or somebody could of dug in yard and frayed wiring out to front yard lamp? It’s not in conduit just ran under ground.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

You may have corrosion from outside wiring and leak. When it rains water tripped the GFCI? First place I would look it the front yard light? Or somebody could of dug in yard and frayed wiring out to front yard lamp? It’s not in conduit just ran under ground.

I agree with that analysis and solution. . . The issue presented should not be happening.