How to reset a GFI circuit?

[MrLonzo]

My TV house has several electrical outlets labelled ‘GFCI protected’. However, they don’t have a test/reset button like ones I’m familiar with (past houses). The circuit in question is labelled ‘exterior receptacles’ at the breaker box. That switch has been tripped and won’t reset. How do you reset a tripped GFI circuit?

[Arctic Fox]

My TV house has several electrical outlets labelled ‘GFCI protected’. However, they don’t have a test/reset button like ones I’m familiar with (past houses). The circuit in question is labelled ‘exterior receptacles’ at the breaker box. That switch has been tripped and won’t reset. How do you reset a tripped GFI circuit?

Is there another GFCI outlet nearby? I have two in my garage and only one has a reset, but that resets both outlets.

[Keefelane66]

One GFI can control other outlets our GFI in guest bath controls master bath outlet. Kitchen counter by sink GFI controls every outlet in kitchen.

[villagetinker]

My TV house has several electrical outlets labelled ‘GFCI protected’. However, they don’t have a test/reset button like ones I’m familiar with (past houses). The circuit in question is labelled ‘exterior receptacles’ at the breaker box. That switch has been tripped and won’t reset. How do you reset a tripped GFI circuit?

In the circuit breaker panel, you MUST move the circuit breaker handle to the FULL OFF position and then to the ON position. This will reset the breaker. If you just try to turn the breaker on from the tripped position it will not reset and will not turn on.

Please feel free to send me a PM and we can discuss further over the phone.

[Michael G.]

I had a GFCI trip in the kitchen this morning and waiting for 1/2 hour for coffee.
In our house it's coffee first then the day can begin. :grumpy:

[JMintzer]

In the circuit breaker panel, you MUST move the circuit breaker handle to the FULL OFF position and then to the ON position. This will reset the breaker. If you just try to turn the breaker on from the tripped position it will not reset and will not turn on.

Please feel free to send me a PM and we can discuss further over the phone.

https://66.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m85bw9fGtf1rqfhi2o1_500.gif

[tophcfa]

Is there another GFCI outlet nearby? I have two in my garage and only one has a reset, but that resets both outlets.

We have the same thing

[Janie123]

My TV house has several electrical outlets labelled ‘GFCI protected’. However, they don’t have a test/reset button like ones I’m familiar with (past houses). The circuit in question is labelled ‘exterior receptacles’ at the breaker box. That switch has been tripped and won’t reset. How do you reset a tripped GFI circuit?
One switched GFCI can controlled others hence the outlet labeled GFCU Contrilled. Look in the other bathrooms and kitchen for one with a switch.

[thevillagernie]

My TV house has several electrical outlets labelled ‘GFCI protected’. However, they don’t have a test/reset button like ones I’m familiar with (past houses). The circuit in question is labelled ‘exterior receptacles’ at the breaker box. That switch has been tripped and won’t reset. How do you reset a tripped GFI circuit?
all my kitchen outlets are controlled by breaker in panel in garage...little yellow button on breaker,there are no resets on the outlet itself.

[danglanzsr]

It is standard practice to have each circuit in a home daisy-changed. Then the first outlet is equipped with a gfci (ground fault circuit interrupter) or the circuit breaker in the service box is equipped with a gfci breaker. If an improper ground occurs anywhere on the circuit, the gfci trips and all of the outlets and lights on that circuit go off.

You just have to find the outlet that is the first outlet on that circuit and reset it. If it is in the service box you may have to push the bar on the breaker to the left to reset it then push it to the on position.

If you can’t easily reset the gfci, it means you still have a ground fault somewhere on the circuit that has to be corrected. If the circuit has outside outlets and there has been a recent heavy storm, the ground fault could be due to rain filling one of the outside boxes with water.

[DonnaNi4os]

One GFI can cover several outlets. When a heavy rain tripped my outdoor lights I went crazy looking for the GFI. It was in the corner of the garage. Look for outlets with tiny green lights. Those are what you need to reset. If the light is red it means it has tripped. Be aware that these can be tough to reset so that the green light returns. I suggest you search your home for these so you are prepared if one trips.

[Summerhouse]

My TV house has several electrical outlets labelled ‘GFCI protected’. However, they don’t have a test/reset button like ones I’m familiar with (past houses). The circuit in question is labelled ‘exterior receptacles’ at the breaker box. That switch has been tripped and won’t reset. How do you reset a tripped GFI circuit?
In our Courtyard Villa, the GFI outlet on the interior of our garage wall is the reset for all our exterior GFI outlets.

[rjm1cc]

If it will not reset once you find the button and turned the circuit breaker off and on.
Unplug everything from the affected outlets, then try resetting.
Rain had affected my post lamp and I had to wait a day for it to dry out.

[LeRoySmith]

all my kitchen outlets are controlled by breaker in panel in garage...little yellow button on breaker,there are no resets on the outlet itself.

I think this is how all my GFIs are, none of them reset at the outlet.

[MrLonzo]

I did some more checking, and still could not find any GFCI reset outlets anywhere. The breaker still did not reset.

There is one exterior outlet on the tripped circuit that is exposed to the weather, so I decided to pull that out for closer inspection. The outlet itself looked clean, no sign of moisture, corrosion, deterioration, etc. It looked brand new!

I sprayed some compressed air in the ground hole as I did see a few dead bugs in the area. This action seemed to allow resetting of the breaker and the outlet is again working ok. My theory is that a spider or other bug got into that outlet ground hole and left some debris that was causing the fault. If it gives me any more problem, I’ll probably just replace that outlet.

I am befuddled, though, to find out I have no GFI reset outlets! House is a Courtyard Villa, approx. 4 years old. Are they not putting them in the newer homes?

[drstevens]

The NEC (National Electrical Code) requires that all receptacles controlled by a GFCI be identified. That is why you get many stickers saying GFCI when you buy a ground fault circuit interrupter.
The code requires that ground fault circuit interrupters be installed in all areas where a human might come in contact with the earth, directly or indirectly. That includes, but not limited to, the kitchen, bathrooms, all outdoor receptacles, and the garage.
The GFCI works by monitoring the current in both wires, usually black and white, and if there is a difference of more than 6 mA, it assumes the difference is going through a human and shuts the circuit off. It only takes about 15 to 20 mA to electrocute you. Anytime you are standing directly on the earth. You are standing on one side of a 120 V circuit. Hope all that makes sense.

[pikeselectric]

My TV house has several electrical outlets labelled ‘GFCI protected’. However, they don’t have a test/reset button like ones I’m familiar with (past houses). The circuit in question is labelled ‘exterior receptacles’ at the breaker box. That switch has been tripped and won’t reset. How do you reset a tripped GFI circuit?

Hello Mr. Lonzo! Homes in the Villages (2018 to current) have the GFCI protection at the circuit breakers versus the GFCI outlets with test and reset buttons. Common misconception is, you do not need to push the test button on these breakers. Instead, all you have to do is with force, push those breakers to the OFF position (opposite of the direction of the row) then bring to the ON position (align with others in row). You must be sure everything is unplugged from the outlets prior to do this as well. Call us if you need us :) - Casandra with Pike's Electric

[MrLonzo]

The NEC (National Electrical Code) requires that all receptacles controlled by a GFCI be identified. That is why you get many stickers saying GFCI when you buy a ground fault circuit interrupter.
The code requires that ground fault circuit interrupters be installed in all areas where a human might come in contact with the earth, directly or indirectly. That includes, but not limited to, the kitchen, bathrooms, all outdoor receptacles, and the garage.
The GFCI works by monitoring the current in both wires, usually black and white, and if there is a difference of more than 6 mA, it assumes the difference is going through a human and shuts the circuit off. It only takes about 15 to 20 mA to electrocute you. Anytime you are standing directly on the earth. You are standing on one side of a 120 V circuit. Hope all that makes sense.

Interesting information but completely off topic.

[barbara828]

UTUBE knows all

[Nell57]

Interesting information but completely off topic.

Yes …very interesting. I’m a widow learning how to do everything my husband took care of.
I learn a LOT from explainations like Dr Steven’s. You might consider it off topic.
I consider it excellent background information.
If you don’t like someone’s post just scroll on by.

[JRcorvette]

My TV house has several electrical outlets labelled ‘GFCI protected’. However, they don’t have a test/reset button like ones I’m familiar with (past houses). The circuit in question is labelled ‘exterior receptacles’ at the breaker box. That switch has been tripped and won’t reset. How do you reset a tripped GFI circuit?

You need to know where all your GFCI reset outlets are located because outlets are linked. Be sure to check in the Garage and out on your Lani.

[JMintzer]

Some of the resettable GFI outlets used by TV are very hard to reset with your finger.

An electrician who came to replace an outlet I had accidentally fried gave me this tip: Use a small blade screwdriver to bush the button back in when you reset the outlet. Works like a charm!

[nn0wheremann]

My TV house has several electrical outlets labelled ‘GFCI protected’. However, they don’t have a test/reset button like ones I’m familiar with (past houses). The circuit in question is labelled ‘exterior receptacles’ at the breaker box. That switch has been tripped and won’t reset. How do you reset a tripped GFI circuit?
The outlets in the kitchen are daisy-chained to one with a GFCI. If you trip it, that is wher you reset them all. The bathroom outlets are on the outside outlet circuit.

[RobbyHarris]

Some of the resettable GFI outlets used by TV are very hard to reset with your finger.

An electrician who came to replace an outlet I had accidentally fried gave me this tip: Use a small blade screwdriver to bush the button back in when you reset the outlet. Works like a charm!. And preferably a non-metallic screwdriver just in case it slips past the button. :D :D

[Normal]

You can disconnect an outlet in the circuit and see if the circuit breaker does the same thing (won’t reset). If it resets, then the problem lies past that outlet in the circuit. Isolate the problem/outlet and inspect it. Once you have found the issue, look for touching wires, moisture etc.