Hi there! I’m trying to sort out what’s going on with my GFCI outlet next to my bathroom sink. When I use an outlet tester it shows that it is “open ground”, but there is a grounding wire behind the outlet. It’s an older GFCI outlet, so there’s no red light/green light on the outlet itself. The outlet works. The test/reset function on the outlet seems to work (I hit test and there’s no power, I hit reset and the power is back, but shows as “open ground”). I’ve read some places that even though it’s “open ground”, because it’s a GFCI it’s okay… but I just don’t want anyone to get electrocuted! So thought I’d try an online forum.
You may have an issue with the grounding wire/conductor and or the receptacle itself. If you’re asking about this, you may need help from an electrician or someone more experienced. We wouldn’t want you to get electrocuted. GL.
So what happens when the hot leg of the GFCI receptacle comes in contact with the body of the metal outlet and its metal parts stay energized because there is no proper ground to trip the breaker?
So what happens when the hot leg of the GFCI receptacle comes in contact with the body of the metal outlet and its metal parts stay energized because there is no proper ground to trip the breaker?
The metals parts would remain energized. Perhaps I did not phrase it clearly… I meant the hot leg/conductor feeding the receptacle and or its screw terminal comes in contact with the metal outlet… Even if the GFCI receptacle trips the metal parts would still be energized. This is why it’s important to bond it via proper ground.
The grounding conductor of a circuit does little in the way of personal safety. The egc provides a low-impedance path to ground for equipment protection.
