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Electrical Wire and Cable


How to Repair a Kitchen GFCI Circuit

Why are the outlets in my kitchen out and the GFCI outlet with a light is glowing? Guide to Kitchen GFI Outlet Circuit Problems and How to Fix Them, GFI Outlet Troubleshooting and Electrical Repairs.


Electrical Video #1

Generator Automatic Transfer Switch
and Electric Circuit Sub Panel

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Kitchen GFCI Outlet Problem
Electrical Question: Why are the outlets in my kitchen out and the GFCI outlet with a light is glowing?

Yesterday I came home to one circuit of outlets in my kitchen out and the GFCI outlet with a light was glowing. The breaker is not tripped. I unplugged everything from each outlet on the circuit and tried each on another circuit, there are no problems. When I press the Test button and then the Reset button the outlets work for about 10 minutes and then pop the outlet again with nothing plugged in any outlet. The house is 14 years old, this is the only electrical issue anywhere. Should I just replace the outlet? I know that I should turn off the kitchen circuit breaker and have done wiring in the past.

This home electrical wiring question came from: Liz, in Springfield, Tennessee.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your Electrical Wiring question Liz.

Guide to Kitchen GFCI Circuit Problems and How to Fix Them

gfci outlet

Application: GFCI Outlet Problem
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate. This electrical repair is best performed by a Licensed Electrician.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools and a Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools and the number of outlets that will be replaced.
Precaution: Identify the Kitchen GFI outlet circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.
Notice: Replace the  GFCI Outlet with the same amperage rating and rewire the new GFI Outlet using the same wiring configuration paying close attention to the LINE and LOAD wiring configurations. Test the GFI outlet and other outlets on the same circuit to make sure the GFI is performing correctly. Testing other outlets to trip the GFI can be done using an analog or induction tester with one lead in the power slot and the other in the ground slot.

GFCI Outlet Troubleshooting and Electrical Repairs

More about Kitchen GFCI Outlets

How to Wire GFCI Outlets

GFCI and GFI Wiring Diagrams

The features and benefits of GFCI outlets and receptacles will give you a clear understanding of the importance why these safety devices are required by code to help protect you and your family against accidental electrical shock hazards.
GFCI Wiring
GFCI Wiring
This list of articles will help you learn about the features and benefits provided by GFI and GFCI Receptacles and how they are wired.

Electrical Outlet Wiring
outlet-wiring

Wiring Electrical Outlets for the Home

Home electrical wiring includes 110 volt outlets and 220 volt outlets and receptacles which are common place in every home. See how wiring electrical outlets for the home are done.

Electrical Circuit Wiring
Circuit Wiring

Electrical Circuit Wiring

This article looks at common 120 volt and 240 volt house wiring circuits and the circuit breakers that are installed identifying the types and amperage sizes used in most homes.
Home Electrical Panel Circuit Listing

Using Electrical Testers
digital-tester

Understanding Electrical Testers

When working on home electrical wiring using voltage testers can play an important part in electrical safety. Electrical testers enable you to identify electrical circuits and help prevent the possibility of accidental electrical shock.
Types of Electrical Testers


The following may also be helpful for you:

Electrical Video #2

How to Wire a GFCI Outlet

without a Ground Wire

Check out my YouTube Channel and Subscribe to my Videos
» AskTheElectrician «

NOTE: A List of All my Helpful Videos
Will Display at the End of This Video
Keep Watching So I Can Help You Wire it Right!

Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
with my Online Video Course:
Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring:

» You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! «

Here's How to Do It:
Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book

Great for any Home Wiring Project.
  electrical wiring  

Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring

Perfect for Homeowners, Students,
Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians
Includes:
Wiring GFCI Outlets
Wiring Home Electric Circuits
120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits
Wiring Light Switches
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet
How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring
Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring
NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
....and much more.



Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right

The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!

The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.

The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!

The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.

Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!

The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..

The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.


More articles about Electrical Repair, GFCI and Home Electrical Wiring:
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Identifying GFCI Circuit Problems How to Repair a Tripping GFCI Outlet