I’ normally over in Fine Woodworking but I have a GFCI question. I just completed my workshop and had my final inspection done everything past. But they (building inspector) want me to change my plugs at the beginning of two circuits. (I only have plugs on two circuits) So I have two duplex plugs in each box with a total of about 28 plugs. The inspector wants me to change the first plug or plugs to a gfci. Which I have done. My problem is when I reset them they keep tripping off. I know it is me. Can you gang two gfci plugs in the same box? I was told that I could change breaker to a gfci which would be easier. But the Culter Hammer single pole gfci breakers are $75.00 apiece. Out of my budget. does anyone have a line on any surplus on the Culter Hammer breakers. Thanks
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Replies
Capo,
How are the circuits wired? Do the two hots share a neutral? If so, you can't GFCI-protect the circuits with two GFCI receptacles used as feed-throughs. You could with a two-pole GFCI breaker designed for a 240/120V circuit, if there's one available for your panel.
If the two circuits are separate (no shared neutral), then look for a mis-wire. Transposed neutral somewhere, or a ground wire touching a neutral. Or a neutral touching a metal box. In cases where a GFI trips I'll sometimes have to take every receptacle out of its box and check to see that the ground wire is not touching a neutral terminal screw. Or maybe a nick in the insulation of the neutral touching a metal box or ground wire.
In troubleshooting, use the "rule of halves". For a short that trips a breaker, or a GFI trip, pick a point in the circuit about half-way and split the circuit--disconnect the hot and neutral. IF the problem disappears, you know the trouble is in the half beyond the split. Split the half again, reconnect the first half, and so on. It means that you don't have to check every point along the circuit. For an open circuit, you use a test lead and continuity tester.
Good luck.
Cliff
Do you have any incandescent lights on the circuit(s) that keep tripping? The GFCI sees the low resistance as a short and will trip until these are removed.
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."