How to Troubleshoot a GFCI Receptacle

GFCI Receptacle showing the "Test" and "Reset" buttons

Troubleshooting a GFCI Receptacle is a straightforward task that almost anyone can perform with complete success. You do not want to wait until there is an obvious problem with the receptacle before checking it. You should check GFCI receptacles monthly. A GFCI receptacle can lose its ability to protect you against a dangerous ground fault condition while appearing to work normally. Anything you plug into a non-functioning GFCI receptacle will work normally.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Digital multimeter
• GFCI receptacle tester

Using the GFCI Receptacle's built in "Test" and "Reset" buttons.

1. Press the "TEST" button on the face of the GFCI receptacle. The "RESET" button should pop out. Pressing the "TEST" button simulates a ground fault condition caused by something that was plugged into the receptacle i.e. a small kitchen appliance.

2. Set the function switch on your digital multimeter to AC Voltage. Plug the meter test leads into the voltage jacks on the meter. Insert the test probes into the slots on the GFCI receptacle. The meter should indicate "0" volts on its LCD readout. If the meter indicates that there are 110 volts present at the GFCI receptacle, in its tripped state, go to section 2 of this how-to. If the meter indicates that there are "0" volts present at the receptacle, proceed to step 3.

3. Press the "RESET" button on the face of the GFCI receptacle. Test for voltage at the receptacle using your digital multimeter. The meter should now display 110 volts on its LCD screen. If the GFCI receptacle fails to reset properly, replace the receptacle with a new one.

Using a GFCI Receptacle Tester

1. Plug the GFCI Receptacle tester into the GFCI receptacle just as you would any plug. The GFCI Receptacle tester allows you to simulate a ground fault condition by its built in test button. Being able to simulate a ground fault condition is necessary when the GFCI protected receptacle is a standard receptacle protected by a GFCI circuit breaker. Standard receptacles do not have the built in test-reset buttons that a GFCI receptacle does. The GFCI Receptacle tester also has three LEDs that, depending on which ones are illuminated, tells you the exact condition of the circuit under test.

2. Read the LEDs from left to right. If the last two are illuminated with an "Amber" color, the receptacle is wired correctly and working properly; proceed to step 3. Problems with the GFCI protected circuit are indicated by the following LED patterns. A "Red," "Amber," unlit pattern indicates that the "Hot" and "Neutral" wires are reversed. A "Red," Unlit, "Amber" pattern indicates that the "Hot" and "Ground" wires are reversed. All three LEDs in an unlit state indicates an open "Hot" wire. An unlit, unlit, "Amber" pattern indicates an open neutral. An unlit, "Amber," unlit pattern indicates an open "Ground" wire.

3. Press the "Test" button and all the LEDs should go out and remain out until you reset the GFCI protector/circuit breaker.

References

• omega: TL-GFCI GFCI Receptacle Tester INSTRUCTION SHEET
• cpsc: Consumer Product Safety Commission GFCIs Fact Sheet
• naturalhandyman: Using And Troubleshooting a GFCI