Originally Posted By: bsmith This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
At an inspection today the GFCI would not trip when tested with my plug-in tester. It would trip when the test button on the outlet was pushed. Both outlets downstream would trip the GFCI when the tester used in them. Is this Line/Load reversal or a defective GFCI?
Originally Posted By: jonofrey This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
When you put your three bulb tester on one of the downstream outlets and pushed the test button on the GFCI outlet, did you still have lights on your three bulb tester?
If you did, most likely it's a line -load reversal.
Originally Posted By: bsmith This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Thanks for your response John.
No - the downstream outlets and the GFCI would trip from the test button on the GFCI, but the GFCI would not trip from the tester when it when the tester was plugged into it. The GFCI would trip when the tester was plugged into downstream outlets. Very odd - sounds like Sparky time to me.
Originally Posted By: jmyers This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Bill,
That very situation was addressed on the newer GFCI receptacles so the receptacle will not reset (no power) if those are reversed.
What you may have is just an older GFCI receptacle which is defective.
For the cost of replacement (about $14 at home depot) it would be money well spent by the client, rather than have the possibility of using a defective one.
I would expect a sparky to charge around $50 to $75 to replace and that is exactly what I would recommend, if I were in your shoes.
Originally Posted By: bsmith This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Thanks Joe-
The homeowner offered to replace the unit and probably has already. The home was one of those spotless, well taken care of places that was a pleasure to inspect.
I appreciate your reply.
-- Bill Smith
www.SmithHomeInspection.com
"The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits." A. Einstien
Originally Posted By: rcooke This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
bsmith wrote:
At an inspection today the GFCI would not trip when tested with my plug-in tester. It would trip when the test button on the outlet was pushed. Both outlets downstream would trip the GFCI when the tester used in them. Is this Line/Load reversal or a defective GFCI?
Please be very carefull with testing GFCI's. If you take the hot ( Black ) wire and hook it up to the silver screw and go from there to the green screw with the hot wire, then you take the Neutral ( White ) wire to the bras screw. Then you test it it will test good. You have what is called a boot leg ground and also have the hot and neutral reversed. believe me this is correct . Yuou have a box and screw that holds the cover on that is energised . I do no that the simple cheap three light tester will not pick this up . I am told that the expensive ideal tester will show this up but can not confirm it .
I can see many going down to the basement and getting a GFCI to confirm what I have just said.
You tester will tell you it is three wire and every thing is OK, but it sure is not.
Originally Posted By: jmyers This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Bill,
I can help you out a little further with that one.
If you are looking at the panel and you are not seeing grounding wires on the cables attached to it, you don't have grounding type wiring in the house.
As he stated, the cheap three prong testers will indicate the receptacles are properly wired, although if you are not seeing grounding wires at the panel, there is no way they could be grounding and are most likely installed using the method he suggests.