GFCI does not trip itself, but does downstream

[Darin Redding]

Title says it all. What would cause this? Tested with a standard plug in style GFCI tester.

[Robert Meier]

Sounds like the GFCI receptacle is ungrounded. Did you try testing with the TEST button?

[Michael R. Boyett]

Line/Load reversed.

[Darin Redding]

Line/Load reversed.

According to my trusty lights on my sperry, wiring is correct.

Sounds like the GFCI receptacle is ungrounded. Did you try testing with the TEST button?

Test button on GFCI outlet itself trips circuit , sperry does not trip circuit, unless you are downstream at another recepticle then it trips GFCI.

[Michael R. Boyett]

A test light will not indicate a line/load reversed wiring.

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by mboyett

Line/Load reversed.

yes...

Wired wrong

[Darin Redding]

Thanks for the input gentlemen.

[Michael R. Boyett]

Darin...don't want to just leave you hanging. Here's some more information and also know newer (>'06) GFCI's have built-in protection to detect & indicate when the Line/Load is reversed.

From www.ecmweb.com :

Line-load terminals. All GFCI receptacles have two sets of terminals having screws or wire leads. One set is typically identified as "LINE," the other as "LOAD," again as shown in Fig. 2. Conductors from the branch circuit overcurrent device are intended to be connected to the "LINE" terminals, and conductors feeding other downstream receptacles or loads (if intended to be protected) are connected to the set of terminals marked "LOAD."

Note that the receptacle outlets integral with the GFCI receptacle are on the load side of the current interrupting contacts and thus protected by the GFCI when properly wired. If the "LINE" conductors are connected to the "LOAD" terminals (essentially back-feeding the GFCI receptacle), then note that the integral receptacles are in the circuit before the current-interrupting contacts and are therefore not protected. If the GFCI is miswired and the "test" button is pushed, the 6mA differential current will still flow as before and the GFCI will trip, even though protection will not have been provided to the receptacles integral with the GFCI. Downstream receptacles, however, will be protected because they are on the protected side of the circuit-interrupting contacts. Therefore, it's important that you follow manufacturer's wiring instructions explicitly.

[Darin Redding]

YES! Thanks Michael. Exactly what I needed.

[Christopher Currins]

In addition to Michael's great info here is a link to a Power Point explaining GFCI function and installation.

Note this quote related to your discovery.

If the branch circuit conductors from the panelboard are connected to the GFCI “load” side terminals and downstream receptacles are connected to the “line” terminals ... what happens?
When the test button is pushed ... it trips.
•When a tester is plugged into the downstream receptacles after the trip… they are de-energized.
•When a tester is plugged into the GFCI receptacle… it is NOT de-energized.. Even though the GFCI has tripped.
Downstream receptacles are protected/GFCI receptacles are not protected
This is why there is a label covering the load terminals.

[Dan Bowers, CMI]

Darin -

I think the important thing to remember and report is:

The GFCI is not working properly, have a licensed and competent electrician service and repair this.

[Darin Redding]

Thanks Chris for the Powerpoint.

That's what I will put in my report Dan. As we are generalists I don't want to put too much in the report and sound like an electrical expert.