A ground fault circuit interrupter, or GFCI, is a crucial safety device that is designed to protect you and your home from dangers like electrical shock and fire. Even if you’ve never heard the term, you’ve probably seen a GFCI wall outlet. These devices are often found in places where water and electricity are in close proximity. Think bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. Exterior receptacles also tend to be GFCI outlets.
Sometimes called “trips,” GFCI wall outlets are designed to disconnect the flow of current, or trip, at the first hint of a potential danger. They generally have buttons on the outlets that allow users to test and reset them.
While this feature makes resetting a tripped GFCI wall outlet easy, simply clicking the reset button and moving on isn’t the best strategy. It’s smart to figure out what causes the outlet to trip, especially if it’s happened repeatedly. Why? A fully functioning GFCI wall outlet is an important safety feature. If one is continually tripping, it’s often a sign that there’s a problem that needs to be fixed.
For professional help sorting out a GFCI issue fast, reach out to Mr. Sparky. Their local, licensed electricians can handle all of your electrical needs. If you’d like to learn a bit about what can trip a GFCI wall outlet so that you’re ready to make an informed decision or ask good questions, then keep reading.
Exploring What Can Trip a GFCI Wall Outlet
There are several possible reasons why a GFCI wall outlet might trip. A homeowner may be able to troubleshoot some potential causes with a little patience and a lot of caution. Others are best left to a professional. If you have any concerns or discomfort when checking your GFCI outlet, don’t hesitate to contact a reputable electrician.
Ground Faults
When electrical current finds an unintended path to the ground, a ground fault results. This situation can be extremely hazardous. Therefore, a GFCI wall outlet is meant to kick off instantly if it detects even a small leakage in current that suggests a ground fault exists. After all, one way a ground fault can occur is for electricity to travel through a person’s body to the ground. Other possibilities include conductive dust and deterioration or damage to the insulation of wires.
To investigate the possibility of a ground fault, turn off all breakers and switches. Then, unplug everything from the outlet. Look carefully for any signs of wear or dust. If you don’t notice anything, consider calling a professional to take a closer look.
Moisture Problems
In areas with high humidity or lots of moisture, water can infiltrate the receptacle box and build up inside. This is a major problem because water is a fantastic conductor of electricity.
Never attempt to reset a damp GFCI wall outlet. If you notice moisture or suspect that it’s the issue, then turn the breaker off and call a professional. Moisture in the electrical box can increase your risk of electrical shock. Electrical boxes in wet or high-humidity spaces should be weatherproof.
Overloading
An overload will trip a GFCI wall outlet. This occurs when there is too much amperage flowing through a circuit. Basically, it means you’re trying to pull too much power in one place. It can be the result of having too many things plugged into one place, too many power-hungry things plugged into one place, a defective appliance, or loose or corroded wires.
If you believe overloading is tripping your GFCI wall outlet, try the following to pinpoint the problem:
- Unplug everything.
- Reset the GFCI wall outlet.
- Wait a few minutes.
- Check that the outlet has not tripped.
- Plug the first item in. Turn it on.
- Verify that the outlet has not tripped.
- Plug the next item in. Turn it on.
- Verify that the outlet is working correctly.
- Continue plugging items in one by one. Check the status of the GFCI wall outlet after each one.
- When an item causes the breaker to trip, evaluate your findings.
What does it mean when an item causes the breaker to trip? You may have discovered a defective appliance. In this case, you can repair or replace the appliance. Alternatively, you may have reached the threshold of what the outlet can handle. In this situation, you may need to redistribute how your appliances are plugged in. Or, you could consider bringing in an electrician to discuss the possibility of adding a new dedicated circuit and another GFCI outlet to provide more power where you want it.
Outlet Troubles
GFCI outlets first began appearing in homes in the 1970s, so it is quite possible to find some older outlets still in service that need to be retired. Even newer GFCI outlets can wear out or fail and require replacement.
If you cannot find any clear cause, but your outlet frequently trips or won’t reset, then it may be your GFCI outlet that is the problem. Consider having it replaced.
Wiring Issues
Sometimes, the trouble isn’t the outlet. It is the wiring that is connected to it that’s causing the GFCI wall outlet to trip. There is a chance that faulty structural wiring is to blame, especially if you have old wiring or a patchwork of old and new wiring in your home.
If something else in the surrounding wiring is tripping the GFCI outlet, chasing the problem down can take time, specialized tools, and expertise. Calling a professional is your best, and safest, bet.
For electrical issues in your Fort Myers, FL, home, don’t put up with any malarky, call Mister Sparky. Their friendly, licensed electricians will respond fast to resolve potential hazards like GFCI wall outlets that trip before they cost you time and money. Protect your family and your home. Reach out to Mister Sparky today to request assistance.
