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+-- Thread: Trouble Shooting an Electrical Circuit (/showthread.php?tid=7369283)
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Trouble Shooting an Electrical Circuit - Rick_B - 05-26-2022
I've got a circuit controlled by a GFCI outlet as the first device in the circuit. Recently the GFCI outlet has been tripping (during stormy weather). The circuit has 3 outlets in the basement, 3 external outlets and 2 external switch controlled overheads. The GFCI isn't tripping every time it rains - just sporadically.
Is there a logical way to trouble shoot this problem to identify what is causing the trip?
Thanks
RE: Trouble Shooting an Electrical Circuit - srv52761 - 05-26-2022
A lot of things to consider. What is plugged in to the outlets?
Are the switched outlets on?
Metal or plastic boxes?
Bad gfci?
Bummer that it is sporadic.
RE: Trouble Shooting an Electrical Circuit - srv52761 - 05-26-2022
Sorry, hit post instead of. Preview.
A lot of things to check. But the rain thingy makes me think to check connections and weatherproofness of the exterior stuff first.
RE: Trouble Shooting an Electrical Circuit - Roly - 05-26-2022
(05-26-2022, 11:20 AM)srv52761 Wrote: Sorry, hit post instead of. Preview.
A lot of things to check. But the rain thingy makes me think to check connections and weatherproofness of the exterior stuff first.
When it is dry try squirting a hose on one device at a time and hopefully one trips it if you don't see anything by looking at it or removing covers and look for signs of water.
Also if a box is filled with bugs and it gets wet it will trip . Roly
RE: Trouble Shooting an Electrical Circuit - Rick_B - 05-27-2022
Thanks folks for the ideas. its storming right now and the circuit just tripped. I'm going to use this problem to map out this circuit s well as solving the problem. I'll keep you updated.
RE: Trouble Shooting an Electrical Circuit - Rick_B - 05-27-2022
So today I decided to take Roly's advice and sprayed the exterior outlet boxes with the hose. No trips. Not sure what to do next - maybe open up the boxes and check all connections?
RE: Trouble Shooting an Electrical Circuit - JosephP - 05-27-2022
Could it be wind instead of rain tripping it?
RE: Trouble Shooting an Electrical Circuit - Rick_B - 05-28-2022
(05-27-2022, 07:12 PM)JosephP Wrote: Could it be wind instead of rain tripping it?
That's possible so probably a check of the connections is in order
RE: Trouble Shooting an Electrical Circuit - Roly - 05-28-2022
Try disconnecting part of the circuit, half way would be best and see if the first portion trips it. That will narrow the search, but being a intermittent fault makes it harder. Remember to look in the basement portion also as water could be traveling down a conduit. Look in the light fixtures also. Roly
RE: Trouble Shooting an Electrical Circuit - Bob10 - 05-29-2022
(05-26-2022, 10:15 AM)Rick_B Wrote: I've got a circuit controlled by a GFCI outlet as the first device in the circuit. Recently the GFCI outlet has been tripping (during stormy weather). The circuit has 3 outlets in the basement, 3 external outlets and 2 external switch controlled overheads. The GFCI isn't tripping every time it rains - just sporadically.
Is there a logical way to trouble shoot this problem to identify what is causing the trip?
Thanks
GFCI's wear out there is a good chance that is your problem. Is there a pump or something else that cycles when it rains?
Heavy load wears them out