GFCI won't trip by tester

[Randy D. Stufflebeem]

GFCI trips at outlet but will not trip by my tester. Been so long since I had this issue I cant remember how to describe it. I use a basic 3-light tester (9$). Faster getting the answer here than looking it up. What is the correct explanation for the issue.
Thanks in advance,

[Ralph Brady]

Could it have an open ground? That would do it.

[David P. Valley]

Ungrounded outlets will trip by pushing the actual "TEST" button, but will not trip with the GFCI tester.

You have an ungrounded outlet that should be labeled "GFCI protected / NO Equipment ground".

[Randy D. Stufflebeem]

[quote=dvalley]Ungrounded outlets will trip by pushing the actual "TEST" button, but will not trip with the GFCI tester.

You have an ungrounded outlet that should be labeled "GFCI protected / NO Equipment ground".[/quote]

That's the one

[Greg Fretwell]

I would be very surprised if home inspectors ever see those stickers for GFCI receptacles. Scraping them off is usually one of the first things the housewife does because they look tacky.

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by Greg Fretwell

I would be very surprised if home inspectors ever see those stickers for GFCI receptacles. Scraping them off is usually one of the first things the housewife does because they look tacky.

True, but I'm simply stating code.

ooops...Did I just say CODE?

Oh-oh, please don't cyber attack...I'm innocent.

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by rbrady

Could it have an open ground? That would do it.

That should show on his tester when he plugged it in.
If it showed an intact, operational ground, it should trip by the tester switch.

My feeling on this situation is that:

The GFCI function is not tripping as it should when the first current leakage to ground is about 10 milliamps or so. I don't know what the self-test trip mechanism/operation is but......if it's not tripping at the lower amperage, replace it. They're only $15 or so......cheap protection.

[Mark Sylvester]

I believe the only true way to test these outlets is by the test button on the outlet. The manufactures state this in there installation papers.

[James H. Bushart]

In a bathroom at an apartment complex, I came across a GFCI that would not trip with my tester or with the tester button. I recommended that it be replaced.

While I was still on the property, an electrician was sent over to the apartment to affect the repair. I went back to the apartment and it was working perfectly. I asked if he replaced it and he said "no", and that all he did was flip the breaker off and back on.

How can this be? BTW, it was not a GFCI breaker.

[Greg Fretwell]

Was the GFCI energized when you tested it? If the breaker was tripped the GFCI would not "test".

[Greg Fretwell]

Brian. What kind of tester are you using? If it is something like a Suretest that puts a load on the ground you can trust the grounding connection but a neon tester might show a good ground with a connection that would not pass 6ma.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by Greg Fretwell

Was the GFCI energized when you tested it? If the breaker was tripped the GFCI would not "test".

It was energized and, according to my tester, properly grounded.

[Greg Fretwell]

Sounds like a bad GFCI to me

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by Greg Fretwell

Brian. What kind of tester are you using? If it is something like a Suretest that puts a load on the ground you can trust the grounding connection but a neon tester might show a good ground with a connection that would not pass 6ma.

23 year old "dinosaur" Suretest. It won't fail so I can justify buying a new one!!! Do carry 2 cheaper backups with me but when I think I may have a problem with the Suretest.....it's always correct!

[John Evans]

Since many standard recpetacles are wired "downstream" from a GFCI, the trip button on the tester must be used to identify the existance of GFCI circuits in required areas. A few days ago, I tripped a GFCI located on the opposite side of the kitched from my test location and the GFCI test button actually broke loose and flew a few feet. You never know!!!