*
Hi. I am having trouble with an new electric circuit. It is for outside receptacles, and the GCFI breaker trips every time the breaker is turned on. I have disconnected the first leg of the circuit so the black and neutral are not attached to anything, and the breaker still trips. Ground appears to be solid. Do I have a bad breaker?
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Fine Homebuilding's editorial director has some fun news to share.
Featured Video
Video: Build a Fireplace, Brick by BrickHighlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
*
is it possible that you are running it off a 3 wire circuit? If the neutral is being used for another branch circuit, this will cause the breaker to trip
*Kevin, Where did you disconnect the wires...At the circuit breaker or at the first outlet?? Is it possible you have the breaker wired incorrectly in the circuit breaker box?? Sounds like a dead short somewhere.
*Thanks for answering Marcy. I don't think that the neutrals are running on another branch circuit. My next step is going to prove this by pulling out the wires from the panel and testing one by one.Thanks
*I disconnected the wires in the first outlet. Breaker wiring is grounded to panel ground, neutral and black to top of breaker and gcfi breaker white wire ( the one coming out of the breaker to other neutral bus bar ( The panel work was done by my electrican, I have done the circuits myself).Thanks for your help
*
Kevin, It sounds like you have not wired the GFCI breaker correctly. You should have the neutral from your receptacle circuit hooked to a terminal on the breaker , not to the neutral bus on the panel. The black wire should be hooked to another terminal on the breaker.
If you have done this correctly, look for damage to the circuit wire before it gets to the receptacle. Nail, screw, clamp mashing the conductors together etc.
*
Kevin;
First thought. Push the breaker handle firmly to off position. This re-sets the trip mechanisim.
Second thought: remove both the hot & neutral wires from the GFCI breaker, re-install it in the load center and snap the handle securely off then on again. If it trips with no wires..... bad breaker.
Third thought: neutral & ground switched is a very common circuit failure.
If it passes those tests, follow LaLonde's tips.
Cheers; JE
*
Hi. I am having trouble with an new electric circuit. It is for outside receptacles, and the GCFI breaker trips every time the breaker is turned on. I have disconnected the first leg of the circuit so the black and neutral are not attached to anything, and the breaker still trips. Ground appears to be solid. Do I have a bad breaker?