GFCI protected outlet not working

[David P. OKeefe]

I tested kitchen outlets the other day. One GFCI outlet with two protected outlets down stream. The first one I tested was the outlet in the middle. Everything was fine until I reset the GFCI, power did not return to the middle outlet but the last outlet did have power. No matter what I did I could not get any power back to this outlet. Can someone enlighten me as to what is going on?

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Originally Posted by dokeefe

I tested kitchen outlets the other day. One GFCI outlet with two protected outlets down stream. The first one I tested was the outlet in the middle. Everything was fine until I reset the GFCI, power did not return to the middle outlet but the last outlet did have power. No matter what I did I could not get any power back to this outlet. Can someone enlighten me as to what is going on?

Don't assume that the outlet was protected by the GFCI that you could see. I often see multiple circuits in kitchens. It may have been protected by a GFCI in another location. Was there a GFCI under the sink? Behind the refer? In the panel? Elsewhere?

[David P. OKeefe]

No, I'm sure it was this GFCI. I heard the distinct pop of the GFCI when I used my tester on the outlet. I've added a photo showing where the outlets were. GFCI outlet to the right of the sink, outlet with no power to the left and a third outlet farther to the left.

[Jeffrey R. Wicklander]

There's another GFI somewhere. Especially since kitchens should have two circuits. I usually leapfrog the circuits with receptacles in the kitchen.

Jeff

[James L. Keilson]

Jeff is most likely correct. If the kitchen counter top is wired correctly it should have 2 separate 20 amp circuits and the outlets should be staggered from 1 circuit to the other...

Jim

[David P. OKeefe]

Well, I guess it's possible. I did not see another GFCI, but it could be hidden somewhere.

[Robert Meier]

Originally Posted by jkeilson

Jeff is most likely correct. If the kitchen counter top is wired correctly it should have 2 separate 20 amp circuits and the outlets should be staggered from 1 circuit to the other...

Jim

That is one way of doing it but it's not required to wired that way. Personally I would not stagger them but that's just me.

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

David... (right side of pic)... was that (tv or computer ?) plugged into a GFCI? Protected by same as above? Any GFCI's in panel?

[Jim Port]

Originally Posted by jkeilson

Jeff is most likely correct. If the kitchen counter top is wired correctly it should have 2 separate 20 amp circuits and the outlets should be staggered from 1 circuit to the other...

Jim

There is no requirement for the circuit to be staggered. You could have one circuit on one side and the other on another wall. You could also have one receptacle on one circuit and all the other small appliance receptacles on the other circuit. The NEC only requires a minimum of 2 20 amp circuits. It does not specify the arrangement of those circuits.

[Christopher Currins]

Originally Posted by Jim Port

There is no requirement for the circuit to be staggered. You could have one circuit on one side and the other on another wall. You could also have one receptacle on one circuit and all the other small appliance receptacles on the other circuit. The NEC only requires a minimum of 2 20 amp circuits. It does not specify the arrangement of those circuits.

Isn't it also OK to have kitchen appliance (GFI) circuit(s) connected (even if it's down stream) to a receptacle in another room, such as dining room?

[Robert Meier]

Originally Posted by ccurrins

Isn't it also OK to have circuit(s) connected (even if it's down stream) to a receptacle in another room, such as dining room?

Yes, it's permitted.

210.52(B) Small Appliances.
(1) Receptacle Outlets Served. In the kitchen, pantry, breakfast room, dining room, or similar area of a dwelling unit, the two or more 20-ampere small-appliance branch circuits required by 210.11(C)(1) shall serve all wall and floor receptacle outlets covered by 210.52(A), all countertop outlets covered by 210.52(C), and receptacle outlets for refrigeration equipment.
Exception No. 1: In addition to the required receptacles specified by 210.52, switched receptacles supplied from a general-purpose branch circuit as defined in 210.70(A)(1), Exception No. 1, shall be permitted.
Exception No. 2: The receptacle outlet for refrigeration equipment shall be permitted to be supplied from an individual branch circuit rated 15 amperes or greater.
(2) No Other Outlets. The two or more small-appliance branch circuits specified in 210.52(B)(1) shall have no other outlets.

[Jim Port]

Thanks for posting that article Robert.

[Christopher Currins]

Originally Posted by Robert Meier

Yes, it's permitted.

Thanks, I thought it was. Always good to be reassured.

[Robert Meier]

Originally Posted by Jim Port

Thanks for posting that article Robert.

Anytime Jim.

[Stephen W. Stanczyk]

Robert, I have been running into homes from the 80's with the rear patio receptacle covered by one of the kitchen GFCI. Any idea when this changed or is it still allowed?