Why does gfci keep tripping when it rains

We do not advise doing these repairs yourself without understanding the risks. Most states require the installation of GFCIs in areas near water sources, such as kitchens and bathrooms, as well as in all outdoor receptacles. Typically, the GFCI outlets in your home are wired in such a way that only a major electrical problem will cause them to trip. However, there are a few instances in which a GFCI will keep tripping regardless of what is plugged into it.

If you GFCI keeps tripping, that means there is an underlying problem that needs to be addressed immediately. A GFCI that is continually tripping is not working properly and exposes you and your home to the risk of electrical shock or fire from an overloaded circuit. A GFCI outlet is designed to trip about one tenth of a second after it detects even a tiny amount of leaking current. Because the circuit that is being protected by the GFCI can span multiple rooms and have multiple appliances running on the same circuit, it can be difficult to determine the cause of a tripped GFCI, especially when nothing is plugged into it or it seems to trip at random times.

The next section will explain each of these causes in more detail and show you how to fix the problem. Until the ground fault is fixed, the GFCI will continue to trip. Plug in one appliance at a time until the GFCI trips. You can double check this by unplugging all the appliances that were on before the GFCI tripped, except for the last one you plugged in. If your GFCI outlet trips consistently, it could be an electric fault resulting from faulty structural wiring.

An electrical outlet connected to the same circuit could also be the source of the problem, especially if it was not part of the original wiring of your home. In the case of an electrical fault, you will need a professional electrician to fix the problem.

If you've tried all else and the GFCI outlet reset doesn't solve the problem, that means outlet itself is defective. GFCI have highly responsive internal circuitry to detect whenever there's a flaw in the electric system. With time, the sensitive circuitry wears out, rendering the outlet dysfunctional. In this case, the outlet will need repairing or even replacing and should be done by a qualified electrician.

David Gray Electrical Services offers a range of commercial and electric services. We have highly-trained, licensed and equipped technicians. If you're experiencing GFCI outlet tipping issues, contact us to schedule an appointment. The information on this website is for informational purposes only; it is deemed accurate but not guaranteed.

A neutral wire after GFCI too close to a safety ground wire can leak current in damp weather. Generally something that trips during rain would also be leaking 'less but too much' current during the 'dry season'.

There is more to this. But the point is to ask whether you are ready to attack to the problem - or hire someone else. If you do it, then it will take much longer. But you will learn. The 'hired gun' costs less because he solves it faster.

However then you have learned nothing. Your choice. It really needs Show Quoted Text. Toller Contact options for registered users. I had this same problem for years; two electricians said there was absolutely nothing wrong.

Then I took an electrical course and found one of my outdoor outlets was bad. I replaced it and have been fine since. Do you know how the circuit runs? I found the problem by opening the circuit in various places to isolate the problem. Reply to Toller. Charlie Bress Contact options for registered users. Show Quoted Text. Reply to Charlie Bress. Joseph Meehan Contact options for registered users. Reply to Joseph Meehan.

I am comfortable enough with my knowledge of electricity and wiring to do things like replace swithces, replace wiring that had been chewed through by mice, and add an outlet in the middle or end of a run. I am also comfortable using a multi-meter.

Unfortunately, I am not knowledgeable enough to follow your instructions for finding a current leakage. Thank you for responding though. The circuit breaker trips when too much electricity flows through it or when it cannot handle the excess current load. This means that the flow of electricity is cut off to keep your circuits from overheating or causing more damage. Let us look at the three main reasons that cause circuit breakers to trip.

Toader Dahlheim Explainer. Can a bad photocell trip a breaker? There are several things which could cause the breaker to trip. A loose connection at the breaker , a bad ballast, etc. Niels Garaialde Explainer. Can a storm trip a breaker? Lightning strikes or storms. Arlean Sanchez Mariscal Explainer. What does it mean when your circuit breaker is buzzing? A loud buzzing sound from the circuit breaker indicates that the circuit breaker is bad and it is not tripping even when there is an actual problem with the electrical wiring or electrical materials.

The first and the safest way to deal with circuit breaker buzzing is by calling a qualified and experienced electrician. Gilmar Villapun Pundit. Can cold weather trip a circuit breaker?

Tripping a Breaker. Matenin Etxebarria Pundit. Check the breaker controlling the circuit in which the GFCI is installed if the red button is out and won't stay in when you push it. Unplug all appliances plugged into outlets downstream of the GFCI. Turn off the breaker to the circuit and unscrew the cover plate from the GFCI with a screwdriver. Iordache Aza Pundit. Will a GFCI trip before a breaker?