Outdoor GFCI Outlet Keeps Tripping After Rain? (Fix It Now!)

Perhaps the most common cause of a GFCI outlet tripping after a rain is water where water shouldn’t be. A typical outdoor installation for a GFCI outlet is in waterproof electrical boxes that include a cover that keeps rain and other moisture from getting into the electrical box.

If moisture gets inside the electrical box, the outlet may begin to leak power to the ground wire, or it may be finding a path to ground outside the electrical wiring. In either case, the GFCI outlet is working as it should.

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You may be able to diagnosis this problem yourself. A few simple steps can help you find an outlet part of the GFCI circuit and is grounding due to moisture.

Step 1: Determine Which Outlets Are in the GFCI Circuit

Finding the outlets on a GFCI circuit may be easy if the GFCI circuit has tripped. One GFCI circuit can protect several outlets. If your GFCI outlet is tripped, you can check other electrical boxes and outlets using a voltmeter, a circuit tester, or a live circuit probe. These tools are not expensive and are available at most of the big box home improvement stores.

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Step 2: Kill the Power to the Circuit at the Circuit Breaker Box

For your safety, always turn off the circuit breaker at the service panel before working on any electrical circuit. Even though the GFCI outlet is tripped, you should turn off the breaker. Turning the circuit breaker off prevents any power to the circuit.

Step 3: Dry Out the Suspected Boxes and Outlets

The easiest way to dry out an electrical box that you suspect has moisture is with a hairdryer. Use the hairdryer set on its lowest setting. Play the warm air into the electrical box and over the outlet. Be careful not to get the hairdryer to close or you risk melting the electrical box if it is plastic or the insulation on the wires.

Do this with each electrical outlet box in the circuit protected by the GFCI outlet. Dry out the GFCI box as well. Take your time and make sure that the boxes are completely dry and free of moisture.

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Step 4: Turn on the Power and Reset the GFCI

Restore the power to the circuit by turning the circuit breaker on at the service panel. Next, carefully reset the GFCI outlet by pressing the reset button. If all is well, power this will restore power to your GFCI protected circuit.

If your GFCI outlet trips immediately, moisture in your electrical circuits is probably not the problem. It would be best to turn off the power at the circuit breaker and call a licensed electrician to find the problem and correct it.

Step 5: Examine and Repair the Electrical Boxes

If drying out the boxes seems to work, the culprit is probably a water leak allowing excess moisture into one of the electrical boxes. Examine each of your waterproof electrical outlet boxes. These boxes should have covers with seals that protect the outlet inside from excess moisture.

Check the box and the box lid for cracks or other damage that can allow water to enter. Open the lid and check the foam seal around the edges. These seals are easily damaged or lost if you use the box regularly. Replace the seals if damaged or missing.

Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor