Home electrical pros, ? for you bros…

[General Roman Malaise]

Have a GFI outlet on an exterior wall right near our AC unit. Few weeks ago had a crew come out and power wash the wall around it, and through no fault of their own, too much water seeped in and popped the outlet. I couldn’t get reset button to stay in, so I figured just need to grab a new GFI and throw it in. I’ve replaced a thousand outlets so NBD. EXCEPT! Can’t get the damn reset button to stick on the new one either. Know wiring has had plenty of time to dry out, checked and triple checked all breakers, all the basic crap. What’s worse is it’s preventing our AC from kicking on so our other unit is working like a rented prostitute. Got the pros scheduled to come out Monday but would love to figure this out myself tomorrow if I can.

Any just the tips?

 

[scruffyhawk]

Have a GFI outlet on an exterior wall right near our AC unit. Few weeks ago had a crew come out and power wash the wall around it, and through no fault of their own, too much water seeped in and popped the outlet. I couldn’t get reset button to stay in, so I figured just need to grab a new GFI and throw it in. I’ve replaced a thousand outlets so NBD. EXCEPT! Can’t get the damn reset button to stick on the new one either. Know wiring has had plenty of time to dry out, checked and triple checked all breakers, all the basic crap. What’s worse is it’s preventing our AC from kicking on so our other unit is working like a rented prostitute. Got the pros scheduled to come out Monday but would love to figure this out myself tomorrow if I can.

Any just the tips?

Have you used a multimeter to verify the wiring is fine?

 

[noleclone2]

Not an expert so you better get use to stupid advice:

Might it still be wet somewhere. To me sounds like it is doing its job due to something.

 

[HawkinK.C.1]

Watch this guy starting at 5:25.

 

[jasonrann]

220/221....whatever it takes.

 

[The Tradition]

Have you considered suing the power wash crew?

I mean, that's pretty much the American way now days....

 

[St. Louis Hawk]

220/221....whatever it takes.

Scotch?

 

[The-Dude-Abides]

I'd try testing the GFCI on another circuit to determine if it's the outlet or some other issue. I use an old extension cord hacked off so I don't have to pull out receptacles for testing (it's named the Zapper).

Have you also confirmed you have power at the end of the cable before installing the outlet?

 

[chosen.one]

220/221....whatever it takes.

 

[General Roman Malaise]

Have you used a multimeter to verify the wiring is fine?

Wiring frizzed me when I had wrong breaker switched off, so pretty sure it’s live. I could get the multimeter from next to our bed if needed tomorrow.

 

[scruffyhawk]

Wiring frizzed me when I had wrong breaker switched off, so pretty sure it’s live. I could get the multimeter from next to our bed if needed tomorrow.

You can check for voltage and amps at least just as the outlet is. I've troubleshot for rodent insulation damage in a lot of things and you can feel like you're chasing a gremlin til the problem is solved. No sense dragging out a hairdryer until you can verify a water short.

 

[General Roman Malaise]

You can check for voltage and amps at least just as the outlet is. I've troubleshot for rodent insulation damage in a lot of things and you can feel like you're chasing a gremlin til the problem is solved. No sense dragging out a hairdryer until you can verify a water short.

Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate your expertise and the time you took to respond. But this sounds over my head especially for a chain connected to our house itself. Gonna keep boozing and let pros do their thing Monday.

 

[scruffyhawk]

Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate your expertise and the time you took to respond. But this sounds over my head especially for a chain connected to our house itself. Gonna keep boozing and let pros do their thing Monday.

I don't like working on my own house for that reason. Cheers!

 

[Gimmered]

Wiring frizzed me when I had wrong breaker switched off, so pretty sure it’s live. I could get the multimeter from next to our bed if needed tomorrow.

Wait till monday, this is not for you.

 

[Kelsers]

Have you considered suing the power wash crew?

I mean, that's pretty much the American way now days....

Trump's way you mean.

 

[TJ8869]

Have you checked all the other GFI outlets in that circuit? Maybe the new one won’t reset because there is also another one tripped somewhere.

 

[PoopandBoogers]

4 bourbons deep, but have you checked the wires to that outlet location? Look to see if they've been stripped back correctly or wired correctly. Sometimes all it takes is to expose more copper and reconnect (or how they connect). I would also suggest to youtube that receptacle and make sure the wires match the correct points of contact. (Breaker turned off). Another thing in basic troubleshooting is to check how they are wired at the panel. Shit happens and they might be wired incorrectly at the source. You could try flipping wires from either side, just make sure to label them. Godspeed and good luck brotha!

 

[PoopandBoogers]

Also, open up the panel and check behind to see if the wires are still connected to the breakers. All it takes is a half assed turn of a screw 15 yrs ago, then someone else dicking around and closing the door to pop a cable out.

 

[Kelsers]

AC should be on it's own circuit.

 

[millah_22]

Have a GFI outlet on an exterior wall right near our AC unit. Few weeks ago had a crew come out and power wash the wall around it, and through no fault of their own, too much water seeped in and popped the outlet. I couldn’t get reset button to stay in, so I figured just need to grab a new GFI and throw it in. I’ve replaced a thousand outlets so NBD. EXCEPT! Can’t get the damn reset button to stick on the new one either. Know wiring has had plenty of time to dry out, checked and triple checked all breakers, all the basic crap. What’s worse is it’s preventing our AC from kicking on so our other unit is working like a rented prostitute. Got the pros scheduled to come out Monday but would love to figure this out myself tomorrow if I can.

Any just the tips?

Is it on a daisy chain with another GFCI indoors that was was also popped? Often times they'll just run the outside outlet off a convenient inside chain. If they're both GFCI, it maybe popped both.

Is the breaker reset?

 

[General Roman Malaise]

AC should be on it's own circuit.

That’s what I figured when this whole thing started. But I crap you not the AC hasn’t had power since this outlet got wonky.

 

[General Roman Malaise]

Is it on a daisy chain with another GFCI indoors that was was also popped? Often times they'll just run the outside outlet off a convenient inside chain. If they're both GFCI, it maybe popped both.

Is the breaker reset?

I find this competence disconcerting outta you, millah. Stick to are we ranked tomorrow? posts please

 

[General Roman Malaise]

Is it on a daisy chain with another GFCI indoors that was was also popped? Often times they'll just run the outside outlet off a convenient inside chain. If they're both GFCI, it maybe popped both.

Is the breaker reset?

Everything else inside is good, including on the closest indoor wall right inside this outside bastard.

 

[General Roman Malaise]

4 bourbons deep, but have you checked the wires to that outlet location? Look to see if they've been stripped back correctly or wired correctly. Sometimes all it takes is to expose more copper and reconnect (or how they connect). I would also suggest to youtube that receptacle and make sure the wires match the correct points of contact. (Breaker turned off). Another thing in basic troubleshooting is to check how they are wired at the panel. Shit happens and they might be wired incorrectly at the source. You could try flipping wires from either side, just make sure to label them. Godspeed and good luck brotha!

I’ve changed a ton of outlets. I know how finicky wire combos can be into the outlet and have tried them all. I will readily admit, I don’t mess with crap behind the breakers themselves. Been tempted prior but can’t imagine doing something stupid there and sparking a fire when my kids are sleeping inside.

 

[OutbackBowl2017]

Have you installed a non GFI outlet to see if that’s your problem to start with? Never heard of a GFI on an AC unit before, has its own dedicated line. When I’m having issues with them, I take out and put in standard outlets then if I sell, put in the GFI again prior to selling. Those things are so damn touchy sometimes.

 

[Hawgk]

I’d guess you have the line wire hooked up to load wire terminals. I recently installed a new GFCI and same thing happened to me, because the old outlet had line terminals on top, while new had them on bottom.

 

[Joes Place]

Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate your expertise and the time you took to respond. But this sounds over my head especially for a chain connected to our house itself. Gonna keep boozing and let pros do their thing Monday.

• Shut off the breaker to that circuit (verify w/ meter it is off)
• Pull that outlet plug completely out of it's location where they were washing and let it dry (use a hairdryer on low if you need to, or turn your oven on 'warm' for 10 minutes, back off and set that outlet in the oven on a pan for a half hour to dry out - and dry the wiring within that receptacle
• you also can check the resistance to ground for that outlet (should be >1Mohm) vs any other outlet you remove; the wet outlet will likely see a much lower resistance to its ground plug; can also test (w/ power off) the resistance to ground of the wiring on the "house side" in that box - you could have a wire that has weak insulation in there that is also wet.
• Separate the wires in the outlet box so they're safe, w/ that outlet fully removed from it's box (tape them over, or just make sure they aren't shorted and have 1" separation
• Turn breaker back on and try GFI with that receptacle "removed from the circuit; if it doesn't trip, then that outlet is the problem and still has water in it, or something may have shorted in it and you need to replace that outlet, only

Don't do any of this unless you have a meter or tester to determine whether circuits are live or not. 120V won't likely kill you if you're not actively connected to a ground wire (like in your bathtub), but it'll definitely get your attention.

Otto Schmitt (the guy that invented what is known as the Schmitt trigger for electrical circuits) used to test up to 220V w/ his fingers - same hand- and his students said he could tell when something was 10V or so low - but you do that w/ opposite hands, and you can mess yourself up.

 

[Joes Place]

I’d guess you have the line wire hooked up to load wire terminals. I recently installed a new GFCI and same thing happened to me, because the old outlet had line terminals on top, while new had them on bottom.

I had this exact issue OP has w/ pressure washers spraying my outdoor outlet before painting.

Bought a new GFI and it tripped as well. That's when I figured out the outlet they sprayed was connected to my overall GFI circuit ( I had no idea that exterior outlet was connected to 2x bathroom GFI circuits here).

Problem resolved itself w/in a day after it dried out.

I did not have to do any of the steps I outlined in the post above this one, but had it remained a problem, that's how I would have solved it. I live in a dry climate, where stuff will dry out quickly - in a humid climate, it could take much longer for that wet outlet to dry off enough and prevent GFI from tripping.

Only solution is to pull that outlet completely out and let it dry somewhere for a day, then re-install. If it is a wiring issue w/in the house (which you can also test w/ voltmeter for resistance to ground), you may need to replace bad wiring. Newer wiring should not be an issue, but wires that use some of the much older braided fiberglass(?) (vs plastic) insulation can retain much more water if they get wet, and take much longer to dry out. 1950s/60s insulation may be made of that. Anything past 1980s or so should all be polymer insulation over wires and more immune to water ingress, I'd think.

 

[alaskanseminole]

following

 

[alaskanseminole]

I had this exact issue OP has w/ pressure washers spraying my outdoor outlet before painting.

Bought a new GFI and it tripped as well. That's when I figured out the outlet they sprayed was connected to my overall GFI circuit ( I had no idea that exterior outlet was connected to 2x bathroom GFI circuits here).

Problem resolved itself w/in a day after it dried out.

I did not have to do any of the steps I outlined in the post above this one, but had it remained a problem, that's how I would have solved it. I live in a dry climate, where stuff will dry out quickly - in a humid climate, it could take much longer for that wet outlet to dry off enough and prevent GFI from tripping.

Only solution is to pull that outlet completely out and let it dry somewhere for a day, then re-install. If it is a wiring issue w/in the house (which you can also test w/ voltmeter for resistance to ground), you may need to replace bad wiring. Newer wiring should not be an issue, but wires that use some of the much older braided fiberglass(?) (vs plastic) insulation can retain much more water if they get wet, and take much longer to dry out. 1950s/60s insulation may be made of that. Anything past 1980s or so should all be polymer insulation over wires and more immune to water ingress, I'd think.

When/if it rains excessively in December, my outdoor GFCI gets tripped for my x-mas lights...in my upstairs son's bathroom. Ya, I typed that right. Oh, and to install my google doorbell, I had to hit the breaker on my AC to kill the power. Yup, doorbell and AC are on the same one. My builders were into shenanigans.

 

[Joes Place]

That’s what I figured when this whole thing started. But I crap you not the AC hasn’t had power since this outlet got wonky.

Might be you have an AC power fan or control circuit that's tied in to this (would be pretty weird, but possible)

See bullet points I listed above; fully remove the external outlet they were spraying and let that dry out - w/ that outlet out of the circuit and wires separated, everything else SHOULD work ok. If those wires are themselves wet inside the house (and made of the braided, older insulation - those may need much longer to dry before the GFI will work again)

 

[Hawgk]

When/if it rains excessively in December, my outdoor GFCI gets tripped for my x-mas lights...in my upstairs son's bathroom. Ya, I typed that right. Oh, and to install my google doorbell, I had to hit the breaker on my AC to kill the power. Yup, doorbell and AC are on the same one. My builders were into shenanigans.

A GFCI that trips will kill everything downstream on the circuit. If you’re ever selling an old house and are worried about code violations with three pronged outlets, you can install a GFCI on the upstream outlets and label the downstream outlets with stickers that say “GFCI protected” and “no equipment ground” to pass inspection rather than rewiring everything with a ground. See NEC Code 406(D)(2)(c).

Some might argue this cheap workaround is actually safer than a grounded system in a few ways and should be the actual code.

 

[IIowaFarmBoy]

If you are outside, wear shoes and gloves.

Trip the breaker at the panel first and reset that one last after the other work is

Are any screw or bare wires making contact somewhere?

Consider a gfci one the dedicated circuit at the service box

 

[Joes Place]

When/if it rains excessively in December, my outdoor GFCI gets tripped for my x-mas lights...in my upstairs son's bathroom.

They're both on the same circuit, I'd presume.
And water is getting into the outdoor outlet box.

If you caulk around that to keep the water out (or figure out how water is getting behind the siding), you'll probably prevent it.

Poor insulation and steam from a bathroom can also cause condensation on outlets which can trip GFIs. But somehow you're getting water/condensation on a GFI-connected outlet that is triggering it. Doesn't take all that much.

 

[alaskanseminole]

They're both on the same circuit, I'd presume.
And water is getting into the outdoor outlet box.

If you caulk around that to keep the water out (or figure out how water is getting behind the siding), you'll probably prevent it.

Poor insulation and steam from a bathroom can also cause condensation on outlets which can trip GFIs. But somehow you're getting water/condensation on a GFI-connected outlet that is triggering it. Doesn't take all that much.

Na, I think it's the extension cords for the lights themselves because the outlet itself is up on the patio under cover. It rairly rains in December, so I've not cared enough to trouble shoot. I've just marked which GFCI outlet is what so when something happens, I remember where to hike to to resolve it.

 

[Joes Place]

Na, I think it's the extension cords for the lights themselves because the outlet itself is up on the patio under cover.

Yeah - if the connections are not covered, water can get into the plugs and mess up ground conductivity enough to trigger.

I wrap my connected wiring for Xmas lights w/ small plastic bags and tie-wrap or zip-tie the ends to keep water out. Just because I don't want them tripping a breaker if too much water gets in when I'm away. Big advert for anyone casing the neighborhood if your lights suddenly stop running for a couple days-straight.