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shug23's avatar
shug23
Explorer
Nov 11, 2018

GFI Breaker switch won't reset

Breaker switch wont reset , and hence one plug in the bathroom, 2 plugs in the kitchen and the water heater (using electricity) don't work (surprisingly the dishwasher does). The outlets say GFI protected but there is no button to 'test' the outlet. The RV was in storage in high humidity and I might guess that this is causing the problem. (Today is Day 1 out of storage). If so, will the plugs dry-out ? Should I replace the outlets with the type of outlet that has the test button right on it to possibly identify the source ? This is a Mobile Suites 5th wheel. Thank you


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  • As noted above, you can have one GFCI outlet and several slave "GFCI protected" outlets wired from the one GFCI outlet. Those are simply standard outlets wired to the output from the GFCI outlet. And only the GFCI outlet will have a reset button and test button.
  • garym114 wrote:
    A circuit with multiple outlets can be GFI protected by one GFI outlet. Each outlet in this circuit will not have a reset button.

    Yes, this!
    And,your heating element in the water heater may be the culprit. Can you eliminate that connection and retry?
  • shug23 wrote:
    Breaker switch wont reset ,


    Exactly which breaker are you talking about ?

    If it is a breaker in the AC distribution panel, that is a WHOLE different problem than a GFI outlet breaker tripping.

    ALL of the GFI protected outlets usually go through ONE GFI type outlet with the built-in breaker.

    If it is a breaker in the main box, you do know that you must push it all the way to OFF before turning back ON.....right ??

    And I agree that the water heater would be my first suspect.
  • A circuit with multiple outlets can be GFI protected by one GFI outlet. Each outlet in this circuit will not have a reset button.
  • YC 1 wrote:
    The won't reset if they do not have 110 volts going into them. Be sure your 110 volt path is working. For example, are other outlets working? Have you checked your AC panel breakers.


    He said the "breaker", meaning in the "breaker" Panel. It's not a problem with the outlets not resetting, it's the breaker not resetting.

    Yes, the problem can be in any of the outlets. You can try disconnecting the black wire at the GFCI breaker in the panel. The breaker should then reset. If it does, you have to disconnect each outlet individually until you can reset the breaker. That is the guilty outlet and should be replaced.

    I would give my first attention to the water heater. Possible the heating element is grounded. Disconnect that from the outlet and try to reset the breaker.

    You may want to consider an outlet that possibly was exposed to moisture.

    You could also use a hair dryer to dry out the outlets. Might work.
  • The water heater would be suspect. Disconnect the water heater from circuit and try resetting. My guess is water heater elemnet is going to ground.
    Items such as water heater are not normally connected to GFCI circuit.
    Next would be to remove GFCI and disconnect load side wiring. Then try to reset. If it doe not reset, GFCI is bad.
  • This is day 1 , back on the road for the next 7 months....All the outlets and appliances are working EXCEPT for 3 plugs and water heater. We are hooked to 50 Amp site....Nothing is plugged in (nothing was)…..Before calling an electrician, I can do some of basic checks...eg change plugs or just wait a few days to see if things dry out...I mean it was like a steam room when we first opened the door....I am not sure why 'they' installed outlets that don't have the little red button that pops out
  • joelc's avatar
    joelc
    Explorer III
    Be sure you are not overloading them. If overloaded they won't reset. Also, check for a bad ground.
  • The won't reset if they do not have 110 volts going into them. Be sure your 110 volt path is working. For example, are other outlets working? Have you checked your AC panel breakers.

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