Outlet gave out..

[Be102]

So today of all days when I decided to change my substrate my outlet decided to trip. I’m unsure how this even happened considering all I did was unplug a pump. The way my setup works is it is a 15 a outlet that I converted into gfci a couple of years ago. So I went to the breaker and that wasn’t tripped so then I tried to use the reset button on the outlet and it blinked red. I then went to the hardware store and got a new outlet setup. I put it back in and at first I got red, did it again after switching the blacks and got a green light although there is no power on the outlet. There is also another outlet on the same wall that is also not working. Any ideas would be helpful. Gonna switch the whites now but if that doesn’t work I’m clueless.

 

[dantimdad]

@Brew12 HELP!

 

[theatrus]

So today of all days when I decided to change my substrate my outlet decided to trip. I’m unsure how this even happened considering all I did was unplug a pump. The way my setup works is it is a 15 a outlet that I converted into gfci a couple of years ago. So I went to the breaker and that wasn’t tripped so then I tried to use the reset button on the outlet and it blinked red. I then went to the hardware store and got a new outlet setup. I put it back in and at first I got red, did it again after switching the blacks and got a green light although there is no power on the outlet. There is also another outlet on the same wall that is also not working. Any ideas would be helpful. Gonna switch the whites now but if that doesn’t work I’m clueless.

GFCIs have an upstream and a downstream port. I'd advise connecting other outlets in your circuit only to the upstream/unprotected port unless you need it.

 

[Be102]

GFCIs have an upstream and a downstream port. I'd advise connecting other outlets in your circuit only to the upstream/unprotected port unless you need it.

See this is the problem. Both my current outlet and the upstream one isn’t working but there is light to the outlet via the little indicator.

 

[Be102]

Yeah I’m stumped.. when the two black wires are in the correct spot I’m able to get a green light. But when I switch the two white wires over I get nothing. So like here’s what I see



Black 1. White 1
Black 2. White 2

Green light no power

Black 1 White 2
Black 2. White 1

Green light no power

Black 2 white 2
Black 1 white 1
No light no power

Black 2. White 1
Black 1 white 2
No led no power




What am I missing?

 

[Be102]

Can anyone be of some help?

 

[Brew12]

Can anyone be of some help?

If the green light turns on then you have to have power to the outlet. How are you checking to see if you have power?

 

[Be102]

If the green light turns on then you have to have power to the outlet. How are you checking to see if you have power?

Nothing I plug into it works. I also have no power further down to the next outlet.

I gave up for now to do the actual tank maintence but will try again in a little bit.

 

[Brew12]

Nothing I plug into it works. I also have no power further down to the next outlet.

I gave up for now to do the actual tank maintence but will try again in a little bit.

Is the GFCI tripping and resetting when you use the test button?

 

[dantimdad]

Thanks for chiming in @Brew12

 

[Be102]

Is the GFCI tripping and resetting when you use the test button?

The button won’t click at all. Neither the reset nor test will click. It’s really bad situation lol half my house doesn’t half house...

 

[Pife]

Put both black on the line and both whites on the line and you should be good to go.

Nothing on the load.

 

[BZOFIQ]

The button won’t click at all. Neither the reset nor test will click. It’s really bad situation lol half my house doesn’t half house...

When you say you lost power to half your house it sounds like you've lost one of your "legs" coming into the building but then that wouldnt explain the green indicator that's on.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Put both black on the line and both whites on the line and you should be good to go.

Nothing on the load.

Yeah, try that. if not, try regular outlet to see if you have another defective GFCI on hand.

 

[Be102]

Yeah, try that. if not, try regular outlet to see if you have another defective GFCI on hand.

Yeah I am beginning to believe this one is defective... how common is that for new outlets? Should I try another place than the Home Depot? These leviathan outlets are pretty bad

 

[Be102]

Put both black on the line and both whites on the line and you should be good to go.

Nothing on the load.

My setup has 4 wires plus ground . If the connection is off then like half house has no power...
Half the house I’m saying which really means 2nd floor bedroom - some outlets that work that clearly aren’t on the breaker.

So like everything that shuts off when I hit the “bedroom breaker” is what’s off currently because of this outlet problem.

 

[Be102]

Upon reading about them.. I am curious if my next receptacle would be a gfci that is now “weather resistant” because of the moisture and whatnot near my tank. Anyone use these things?

I literally do not understand what would be the problem with my outlet other than it now being the receptacle itself again.

Has anyone ever heard of tripping an outlet when UN-plugging stuff? The powerhead was on a extension cord rather than even plugged in directly on the outlet. There’s a few things plugged into it as well but it can’t be thatnconsidering I’ve had way more stuff recently and have been removing stuff from behind my tank to locate elsewhere (router and whatnot)

 

[Pife]

My setup has 4 wires plus ground . If the connection is off then like half house has no power...
Half the house I’m saying which really means 2nd floor bedroom - some outlets that work that clearly aren’t on the breaker.

So like everything that shuts off when I hit the “bedroom breaker” is what’s off currently because of this outlet problem.

I know it has 4 wire plus a ground. I've been an electrician for 17 years. Put the 2 black wires under the input/line on the brass screw and the 2 white wires on the input/line side silver screw.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

So today of all days when I decided to change my substrate my outlet decided to trip. I’m unsure how this even happened considering all I did was unplug a pump. The way my setup works is it is a 15 a outlet that I converted into gfci a couple of years ago. So I went to the breaker and that wasn’t tripped so then I tried to use the reset button on the outlet and it blinked red. I then went to the hardware store and got a new outlet setup. I put it back in and at first I got red, did it again after switching the blacks and got a green light although there is no power on the outlet. There is also another outlet on the same wall that is also not working. Any ideas would be helpful. Gonna switch the whites now but if that doesn’t work I’m clueless.

Age of GFCI, maybe an issue. Try installing new one. Also the other outlets on circuit, one of them from different room, if anyone gaming and who knows what, may of overload circuit? Possibilities.

 

[Brew12]

I know it has 4 wire plus a ground. I've been an electrician for 17 years. Put the 2 black wires under the input/line on the brass screw and the 2 white wires on the input/line side silver screw.

@Be102 This is a good idea, at least for now. It is also how you probably want it wired when you are done. I doubt you want the GFCI taking out everything downstream. This way will only remove power from stuff powered on this receptacle.
Once you have it wired this way, you can check to see if the outlet trip and reset functions will work.

The other thing you need to check is to make sure this outlet isn't controlled by a wall switch.