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Lost Power to a GFI Outlet
Question: Chris, from Colorado Springs, Colorado asks:
I have a CGFI outlet on the outside of my house that stopped working when I plugged in a table saw. It already had a waterfall pump. Nothing in the breaker box had any effect (though not well marked). Replaced the outlet with test and reset buttons (previous did not have these) and still have no power. Do I need to call an electrician or is there something I can check as a homeowner.
Answer: Chris, It is very possible that there is another GFI outlet that has tripped off which provides power to the GFI outlet that you are describing. One type of GFI protection is enough where required. As for your personal abilities, no one knows better than you, and the key is to never work on live wires and always have a good voltage tester and a good set of tools. Dave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about Wiring Method for GFCI Outlets
Question from Dan, a Homeowner in Poughkeepsie, New York:
How is a GFCI Outlet in a Bathroom Wired?
- I’m replacing a GFCI outlet in my bathroom, and I have 2 black wires to one contact, 2 white wires to another, and bare ground wire. Should I hook up same way with replacement?
Dave’s Answer:
Wiring a Bathroom GFCI Outlet
- For this wiring example, the wires are connected on the LINE end of the GFCI outlet, and the wiring will be the same as the original GFCI, where the black wires connect to the brass colored terminals, and the white wires connect to the silver colored terminals, and the ground wire is attached to the green grounding terminal.
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