GFCI does not trip itself, but does downstream

dredding · June 12, 2010, 2:11am

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

rmeier2 · June 12, 2010, 3:01am

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

mboyett · June 12, 2010, 3:19am

Line/Load reversed.

dredding · June 12, 2010, 3:21am

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

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

mboyett · June 12, 2010, 3:26am

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

bkelly2 · June 12, 2010, 3:27am

yes…

Wired wrong

dredding · June 12, 2010, 3:36am

Thanks for the input gentlemen.

mboyett · June 12, 2010, 4:00am

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.

dredding · June 12, 2010, 4:06am

YES! Thanks Michael. Exactly what I needed.

ccurrins · June 12, 2010, 4:26am

In addition to Michael’s great info here is a link to a Power Pointexplaining 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.

dbowers · June 12, 2010, 4:49am

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.

dredding · June 12, 2010, 1:12pm

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.