Originally Posted By: roconnor This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I’m sure the issue of testing GFCI receptacles (outlets) has been bantered around before, but another topic reminded me of a Mike Holt newsletter article about that so I thought I would share it …
Bottom line is that I think you have to also push the test button, in addition to checking it out with a decent plug-in tester (ahem), to adequately check out a GFCI receptacle.
-- Robert O'Connor, PE
Eagle Engineering ?
Eagle Eye Inspections ?
NACHI Education Committee
I am absolutely amazed sometimes by how much thought goes into doing things wrong
Originally Posted By: pdacey This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Good information.
I get at least one house a week where all the GFI circuits are operational when I begin the inspection, but one will not reset after being tested. The homeowners always love that.
Originally Posted By: jpeck This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
By the way, after resetting them, check for reverse polarity. Some of them will reset ‘reverse polarity’.
Play around with the button and you can do it to those models by pressing the reset button on one side at an angle, to reset it properly, press straight on in the center.
Those are considered "defective" and need to be replaced.
Originally Posted By: phinsperger This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Quote:
WARNING: According to a study (based on data accumulated by the American Society of Home Inspectors) published in the November/December, 1999 issue of the IAEI News, out of 1,583 GFCI circuit breakers tested, 21% had failed. Out of 4,585 GFCI receptacles tested, 19% had failed. The failures were primarily attributed to damage from short circuits and voltage surges (lightning and other transients) to the metal oxide varistors (MOV) that are used for built-in surge suppression. In areas of high lighting activity such as Southwest Florida, the failure rate for GFCI circuit breakers was over 57%!
Is the GFI failure rate really that high in Florida?  Jerry, are you finding this? It seams very alarming rate to me.
