Dallas Homeowners Commonly Ask: Why We Need To Reset our GFCI?
Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) are common in many homes today. In fact, new homes are required to use GFCIs in certain areas like bathrooms, kitchens, garages, outdoor areas, and unfinished basements. This is because GFCIs provide a level of protection from electrical shock from things like water, which can cause serious injury or even death.
This video shows hot to reset a GFCI outlet.
Why doesn’t my GFCI receptacle reset?
The most likely reason is that the receptacle is incorrectly wired. During the 1980s thru the mid-1990s GFCI-receptacles were more expensive than they are today, and home builders relied on the principle that a GFCI-receptacle placed as the first one in a string of receptacles around a home would protect all the receptacles downstream. A ground-fault created anywhere in the circuit would trip the one GFCI-receptacle, which was typically located in the garage or hall bathroom. That single GFCI would protect the exterior receptacles, along with other garage and bathroom receptacles around the home.
Then checked power at the electrical panel and all of the breakers for the house appear to be providing power. The breakers for the GFCI receptacles in the bathrooms have test buttons on them and trip when it is pressed, however the kitchen GFCI breakers are standard non GFCI breakers.
I recently plugged the vacuum into the kitchen GFCI receptacle, and it suddenly stopped working. Wasn’t able to press in the test or reset button at all. The outlet next to it is dead as well. I’ve flipped all the breakers to the off position, then back to the on position. No luck. I’ve replaced the GFCI with a new 20a GFCI from lowes, made sure the wiring was correct. Multiple lamps I’m using to test the power in the receptacle aren’t working. There’s an orange light on the receptacle that is lit, yet no power, and I’m not able to press the test or reset button to trip it.
I’ve switched the wiring around on the load/line and the orange light doesn’t light up when I flip the breaker back on, so I switched them back to the previous way, once again, orange light comes back on. I’ve searched for other GFCI receptacles throughout the single wide, and happened to notice the one in the bathroom that works, but I’m not able to press in the test or reset button on it either. Even using some force with a plastic piece to apply direct pressure on the test and reset button, they still won’t click.
Tips to Reset a GFCI
A GFCI can be reset without any technical know-how. There are two rectangular buttons on the face of a GFCI, which are usually One is the “TEST” button, and the other is the “RESET” button. Some GFCIs also have an LED light that may illuminate when the GFCI trips . When the TEST button is pressed, the RESET button will pop out if it isn’t already. To reset the GFCI, simply push and hold the RESET button until it latches. Call (214) 238-8353 us for your home service and repair needs.
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