GFCI Won't Reset

westend wrote:

swiederin wrote:

westend wrote:
A GFCI device will not reset with no power present. If you are sure the GFCI receptacle, by itself with no downstream wiring connected, won't reset with power to it, you have either a faulty GFCI device or you have a ground fault.

What is the AC power source? Are you at home or at a campground? Are you using an extension cord?

I am connected at home via extension cord. Have been just fine the all of a sudden this gfci issue.

Assumed you are using a three prong cord. disconnect cord and check for continuity between ground on one end and the other end. You need a continuous path to ground from the GFCI device to the source of power. This includes the receptacle in your house and the path to the household load center.

gfci do not need a ground period to operate

I found the problem. It was a junction box on the slide that was half full of water. Thanks for the advice.

If you have on-board generator - see if GFI resets using that - might help determine whether you have issue with house/cord etc.

If you have the GFCI wired correctly, nothing on the load terminals, and nothing plugged into it, it can't trip.

Are you sure the breaker is not tripped? Try shutting the breaker off. Now push extra hard in the off direction to see if it moves. Then flip the breaker back on and try to reset the GFCI.

swiederin wrote:

westend wrote:
A GFCI device will not reset with no power present. If you are sure the GFCI receptacle, by itself with no downstream wiring connected, won't reset with power to it, you have either a faulty GFCI device or you have a ground fault.

What is the AC power source? Are you at home or at a campground? Are you using an extension cord?

I am connected at home via extension cord. Have been just fine the all of a sudden this gfci issue.

Assumed you are using a three prong cord. disconnect cord and check for continuity between ground on one end and the other end. You need a continuous path to ground from the GFCI device to the source of power. This includes the receptacle in your house and the path to the household load center.

GFCI will not reset if there is no power to it.. Start with the circuit breaker that feeds it and make sure it is delivering power, then start tracing wires.

GFCI will reset, but will insta trip, if there is a down-line ground fault.. To test this Remove GFCI from wall and disconnect the wires attached to the LOAD leads.

GFCI also will not reset if you confuse LINE and LOAD terminals.

Power comes into LINE, and exits to other outlets via LOAD

NOTE: in the following process I do not talk about turning the breaker on and off, you should do this when connecting and disconneting, I like to use test leads with clips when working with 120 volt so I can power off, hook up power on take reading, power off and move to the next step... USE CAUTION when playing with 120 volts.. Folks who do not use caution often end up mentioned on Wendy Northcutt's web page.. www dot darwinawards dot com.

So Check breaker to make sure not tripped
Check to make sure power passing through breaker
Make sure screws (All of them in the breaker box) are tight,, Don't laugh, but many RVers have a few screws loose in this compartment.

Check for power at the GFCI LINE terminals. NO power = what you got.
Make sure you have not confused the two power cables there.. (Check for power on the other set of wires) hook the wires with POWER to the LINE leads on the GFCI, it should now reset if power is present.

Finally connect the LOAD lines, if it now insta-trips check your patio outlet for moisture, often these fill with water and insta-trip the GFCI.

Are you running a long Extension cord? I had a similar problem, long extension cord, GFI would not set and acted very strange on the whole circuit. Got home plugged in shorter cord no problem.I think a power drop was the culprit. Had a similar problem earlier same results. Checked power on all plugs connections all good.But not enough got in to trailer to make things normal.

westend wrote:
A GFCI device will not reset with no power present. If you are sure the GFCI receptacle, by itself with no downstream wiring connected, won't reset with power to it, you have either a faulty GFCI device or you have a ground fault.

What is the AC power source? Are you at home or at a campground? Are you using an extension cord?

I am connected at home via extension cord. Have been just fine the all of a sudden this gfci issue.

A GFCI device will not reset with no power present. If you are sure the GFCI receptacle, by itself with no downstream wiring connected, won't reset with power to it, you have either a faulty GFCI device or you have a ground fault.

What is the AC power source? Are you at home or at a campground? Are you using an extension cord?

swiederin wrote:

Wayne Dohnal wrote:
Do you have the breaker on when trying to reset?

Yes.

Try it with the breaker open. If it doesn't reset then the GFCI is likely bad even though it is new