GFI popping

Coach, to figure out what's happening with your GFCI, you first have to know how it works. Breakers operate on heat generated by electricity. As the breaker heats up the spring inside expands and trips the breaker. That's why you can't reset a heated breaker until it cools. The GFCI is a different animal. It monitors current flowing through it. If there is a difference in current draw, it's designed to trip. You can reset it as long as the current is constant. When it differs, it trips again. This is just basic stuff, however. If you want to know all the technical stuff, a Google search will give that to you. Now to your issue. The GFCI will be placed somewhere on a electric 'run'. That is a series of receptacles placed downward from your electric panel. It doesn't matter how many receptacles are on the run, there could be a dozen. However, the ONLY ones that are protected by the GFCI are the ones downstream from the GFCI. So, if it's in the middle of the run of a dozen, the first six won't be protected but the end six will. GFCIs will go bad and they are a pretty cheap fix. I would start there. Because two outlets cause it to pop it's most likely bad. However, it may also be something as simple as a loose wire in the box. This happens because electricity generates heat and heat will cause the wire to expand and contract, loosening the wire in the receptacle. Loosen the GFCI and check for loose or corroded wires. Do the same with the other receptacle and any others downstream of the GFCI. If you see none, stop by your local hdwe shop or Home Depot and pick up a new one. Replace the GFCI and see if your issue goes away.....Dennis

From Leviton web site:

RED LIGHT – The device needs attention. Your SmartlockPro Self-Test GFCI is engineered to regularly conduct an internal test (self-test) to confirm that protected power is available, offering an added layer of protection from electrical shocks due to hazardous ground-faults. If, during a self-test, the GFCI detects a potential problem, one indicator is a solid or blinking red light. In this case, simply press the TEST and RESET buttons to reset the GFCI. If the device resets, you’re good to go. If the GFCI will NOT reset or the solid or blinking red light continues, the device has somehow been compromised and must be replaced.

May be different brand, but sounds like it may be a bad outlet.

Have you replace the GFI outlet yet? THEY cost under 15 dollars home depot its a DIY. next I would check each outlet on that circuit. looking for loose wires or replacing the switches itself.

good luck camper

When they act like that, it's usually just a failed GFCI plug. Just replace it.

Both circuit breakers and GFCIs get weaker each time they trip, so if you have one that trips at the drop of a hat, it is often because it's tripped often enough it's gotten too weak to do the job and needs replaced.

Every once in a while, somebody reports that an improperly wired camp power pedestal will cause GFCIs to pop. Bad ground, I think. In any case, it is often a good idea to check that pedestal just to make sure THAT is not the reason the GFCI is popping.

What are you plugging in? Some appliances don't play nice with GFI circuits. I just went through this with a Pit Boss pellet smoker. It would start up then trip the GFI. Tried 2 different pedestals and the outlet on my motorhome. Found out from the manufacturer that it is fairly common. Has to do with the surge when the igniter starts.

naturist wrote:

Every once in a while, somebody reports that an improperly wired camp power pedestal will cause GFCIs to pop. Bad ground, I think. In any case, it is often a good idea to check that pedestal just to make sure THAT is not the reason the GFCI is popping.

Just a note, There's nothing at the pedestal that can cause a GFCI in the RV to pop when you plug something in to it. In fact, the GFCI will work normally even without a ground.

Coach said "GFI red light in bathroom is on and continually pops when I plug in."


Plug in what?

Coach Cleats wrote:
GFI red light in bathroom is on and continually pops when I plug in. It shuts off when pushed in. However when I plug in the front sink outlet also causes it to pop. My front outlet is fine with no pop from GFI and is useable. Any ideas or fixes appreciated.

Just replace it and then go from there, if it doesn't take care of the problem.