Replies

1. 
   maddog3 | Nov 27, 2006 01:29am | #1

   did you connect the bathroom neutral to the GFI breaker ?

   did you connect the breaker pigtail neutral to the panel neutral ?

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   .Wer ist jetzt der Idiot

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1. 
   mlints | Nov 27, 2006 01:48am | #4

   I'm working from memory, since I did this work a couple of  months ago.  I'm reasonably sure that I did connect the breaker pigtail to the panel neutral, but I don't believe that I connected the circuit neutral to the breaker.  This is the first GFCI breaker that I have installed, and the instructions left a lot to be desired. 

    

   I didn't know then, but now that I've read a few posts on how the GFCI works, it's pretty clear to me why the neutral has to run through the breaker for it to work properly.  I'll try it the right way and see how it works.  Thanks for the help.

1. 
   calvin | Nov 27, 2006 03:17am | #5

   Please return with the end of the story so we know you're not laying in a smoldering heap.

   thanks.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.

   Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   http://www.quittintime.com/

    

1. 
   mlints | Nov 27, 2006 05:39pm | #7

   Thanks for your concern.  The problem is in a vacation home that isn't used much this time of year, so it may be a while before I get a chance to go back and wire it correctly.  But I will post a message and let you know how it turns out (assuming that I'm not lying in a smoking heap.)

1. 
   calvin | Nov 28, 2006 03:00am | #8

   Thanks,

   Apart from the smoldering heap..............real knowledge here comes from individuals, the group and the occasional feedback from the poster that tries something and reports back.  Too many times a thread will go through all sorts of ideas and nothing is said on the final outcome.  Sucks bigtime.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.

   Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   http://www.quittintime.com/

    

2. 
   renosteinke | Nov 27, 2006 01:33am | #2

   Keep looking. Most common cause is an un-used screw on a receptacle coming to close, almost touching, the side of the box.

   Since you wired it, you know the path of the wires. I'd pick a spot in the middle of the run, and separate the wires there. Then, try the GFI. If it trips, your trouble is in the first half of the circuit; if not, the second. Now, put it all back together, and 'split in half' the bad section. And so on....

3. 
   pm22 | Nov 27, 2006 01:35am | #3

   You seem to be on the right track for solving this problem.

   Make sure you connected the white wires in the panel correctly [neutral to breaker and curly wire to neutral bar]. Perhaps disconnect the neutral from the neutral bar and check for continuity to ground. Also if anything is plugged in, unplug them to rule out a defective appliance.

   ~Peter

   Vivaldi was wrong. There are five seasons.

4. 
   DanH | Nov 27, 2006 04:35am | #6

   Probably the neutral is crossed. If, eg, there is a fan that shares a neutral, it must be on the same GFCI.

   And of course the neutral must be connected to the neutral connection of the GFCI, not to the neutral bus. The GFCI's neutral wire must be then tied to the neutral bus.

   People never lie so much as before an election, during a war, or after a hunt. --Otto von Bismarck