Power went out in Garage after using power tools. GFCI will not reset?

Question

Question for ya? Was using power tools yesterday and lost all power to garage and inside house along the side of the garage. It did not trip the electrical box. One of the GFCI sockets in garage is out and can not be reset? I searched for all GFCI outlets to reset and that is only one in garage or out??? We changed the 20amp black fuse thing in electrical box and still now electricity?? Any ideas or electrician referral you could give me????

Answer 1

If you want to test the GFCI yourself to see if it's the outlet or something else, get a small electrical tester at Home Depot. Remove the outlet you can't reset and see if the wires coming FROM the house are hot. They should be on the terminals marked LINE, and any other outlets controlled by that GFCI would be on the LOAD terminals printed on the back. If you have electrical power after testing, and the outlet won't reset, then you need a new outlet. In a pinch you could use a regular 110 volt duplex receptacle until you get a new GFI. Code calls for NEW or recent homes to have a GFI, your home may be old enough that it isn't legally required but is a good idea. Here is a cheap tester at Home Depot:



Sperry

Voltage Tester

$4.97

Answer 2

Okay.. you replaced the GFI plug but did you install the new one correctly? You have a line and a load side. You must connect the correct wire to the line (Hot side). Most GFI plugs the line wires connect to the top of the plug and the load (Wires carrying power to rest of the circuit) connects to the lower part of the plug. Read the backside of the plug. It should have it stamped which goes where. If your not sure which wires are the line and load you will need a voltage tester to find the line (Hot wires).

If you have these crossed on the plug the reset button will not reset.

Make sure that your also connecting the hot (black wire) to the correct side of the plug. The white wire (Neutral) will normally go on the same side of the plug that the ground screw is on, but that's not always the case.

Hope this hasn't confused you. Hope it helps!

Answer 3

From what you described, it sounds like the GFCI socket itself is done. They don't last forever. You can experiment at the store and you will see that even when they are not installed you should be able to hit the test button and the reset will pop out and then push the reset back in. If you can't move the button, then it needs to be replaced.