CFGI keeps tripping.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

The CFGI outlet in my garage keeps tripping. This was happening a lot when I had my Christmas lights out and I figured out that it was because of the rain. I waterproofed all of the connections and it was fine. But now it seems to be tripping every day. I have a work light in the garage that I don't use all that often but when I have recently, the CFGI has been tripped. I have nothing plugged in outside.

Any ideas?

[collie1228]

I had the same problem a few years ago. I replaced the GF outlet and the problem went away.

[Tmarkwald]

The CFGI outlet in my garage keeps tripping. This was happening a lot when I had my Christmas lights out and I figured out that it was because of the rain. I waterproofed all of the connections and it was fine. But now it seems to be tripping every day. I have a work light in the garage that I don't use all that often but when I have recently, the CFGI has been tripped. I have nothing plugged in outside.

Any ideas?

Are any other outlets piggy-backed off that GFI? If so, I'd look there as a starter. GFI's can go bad, although it is rather rare.

[DeanFL]

I had the same problem a few years ago. I replaced the GF outlet and the problem went away.

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GFIs can become weak over time and trip easily - replace.
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[villagetinker]

There are typically one or more outside outlets connected to the GFCI receptacles in the garage, so I would press the test button as this trips the GFCI. Then I would see which other receptacles are not working and unplug any devices on these. I would then reset the GFCI and plug in the devices one at a time to see if any of these are causing the tripping. As noted above the GFCI can easily be replaced, be VERY CAREFUL to install correctly, I have seen several cases of the line and load wires being placed on the wrong terminals resulting in incorrect operation of the GFCI.

[Kahuna32162]

You are in a fairly new home, is this something the Warranty Dept would handle.

[Tmarkwald]

There are typically one or more outside outlets connected to the GFCI receptacles in the garage, so I would press the test button as this trips the GFCI. Then I would see which other receptacles are not working and unplug any devices on these. I would then reset the GFCI and plug in the devices one at a time to see if any of these are causing the tripping. As noted above the GFCI can easily be replaced, be VERY CAREFUL to install correctly, I have seen several cases of the line and load wires being placed on the wrong terminals resulting in incorrect operation of the GFCI.

When I moved into my new home in SC 20 years ago, the outside outlets did not work. Found that out at Christmas many months later. As I was a travelling troubleshooter, I was gone all week and did not feel like working on it with my limited time... finally, 3 years later, I start looking. Finally found, behind a mounted cabinet in the garage, a GFI. Crazy...

[RI401]

Just as a point of reference, 20% fail when new out of the box. I renovate homes up north. I buy GFI outlets as the new code requires them in Kitchens and baths. 20% fail within 3 months. They are cheap and easy to replace.
If it continues, I have found grounds to be at fault. You can buy a cheap plug in tool at ACE, its lights up showing polarity and ground connection. Cost maybe 5 bucks. Should have one in the toolbox anyway. Test all your outlets.
Always eliminate simple things first.
Bud

[Neils]

My refrig tripped the GFI breaker several times over a few months. Replaced that one with a regular breaker. No more issues. I believe code allows refrig in kitchen to be on regular breaker

[Tmarkwald]

My refrig tripped the GFI breaker several times over a few months. Replaced that one with a regular breaker. No more issues. I believe code allows refrig in kitchen to be on regular breaker

Matter of fact, although it has been awhile, code was that refrigerators should never be on a GFI because the compressor can trip the GFI. However, you are required to have a GFI anytime there is an outlet within 36" of water...

[Pinball wizard]

I have a freezer in the garage and found that the GFCI would occasionally trip and I didn't know it. Since the circuit was 20A I replaced the GFCI 15A with a 20A. The new GFCI also has an audible alarm. If I go into the garage I can hear it if its tripped. It hasn't tripped since I replaced it.