Re: Gfi

Randy1 · 11-12-2005, 08:09 PM

I installed several outlets above my sump that has ben plumbed to the basment. I decided to run my tank on its own breaker, rather than buying GFI outlets I bought a GFI breaker for this purpose. The problem is when conected in the breaker box it won't go to the on postion. It'd dosn't trip just won't turn on. Anyone try these type of breakers?

Thanks

ibjmg · 11-12-2005, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy1

I installed several outlets above my sump that has ben plumbed to the basment. I decided to run my tank on its own breaker, rather than buying GFI outlets I bought a GFI breaker for this purpose. The problem is when conected in the breaker box it won't go to the on postion. It'd dosn't trip just won't turn on. Anyone try these type of breakers?

Thanks

did you try to take the breaker out and switch it to on? could be bad breaker.

Randy1 · 11-13-2005, 09:01 AM

Yes, It works fine until the power is on. I spoke with an elctrician friend and he says it seems to be installed correctly. I however, don't have a real ground on the box (you know the copper rod in the ground.) I might try installing one and see if thats what the GFI is detecting.

**scubadude** · 11-13-2005, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy1

I however, don't have a real ground on the box (you know the copper rod in the ground.) I might try installing one and see if thats what the GFI is detecting.

how do you have the circuit grounded then? I think this IS your problem

ibjmg · 11-13-2005, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scubadude

how do you have the circuit grounded then? I think this IS your problem

I agree.

Randy1 · 11-13-2005, 05:14 PM

Well, it has the common ground (White wire) but no ground to the box, I guess that means the whole house isn't really grounded. I'll install the rod and conect to the bus bar in my box then try it. It's probobly good I'm discovering this.

ReefBum · 11-20-2005, 02:13 PM

Installing a GFI breaker

Take a look at the inside of your breaker panel and see if there are 2 differant sets of buss bars. One bar should be for all the ground wires and one bar will be for all your white nutral wires.
If you do not have differant isolated bars for neutral and ground the GFI breaker will not work for you. You will need to go to 1 GFI outlet and then run the other normal outlets off the load side of that. Running the other outlets from the load side of the GFI will protect all the other outlets.

From the problem you describe it is acting just like it would if the grounding and neutral wire were on the same bar or on differant bars that were not isolated from each other. If your home is an older one this is often the case.

Explanation why:

The reason you need differant isolated bars is that a GFI Breaker works by detecting voltage to ground. When you power up somthing from the outlet, voltage comes in from your hot (black) wire and returns via the neutral (white) wire. If the neutral and ground wire at the panel are not seperate then the breaker will detect the returning voltage and trip. Or in your case will not even power on.
This is a simplified way GFI works but I am sure you get the picture.

ReefBum

Electrical/Mechanical Engineer

Randy1 · 11-20-2005, 04:51 PM

Thank You so much for your advise.

BubbaWPB · 11-21-2005, 09:45 PM

What he said:

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReefBum

Installing a GFI breaker

Take a look at the inside of your breaker panel and see if there are 2 differant sets of buss bars. One bar should be for all the ground wires and one bar will be for all your white nutral wires.
If you do not have differant isolated bars for neutral and ground the GFI breaker will not work for you. You will need to go to 1 GFI outlet and then run the other normal outlets off the load side of that. Running the other outlets from the load side of the GFI will protect all the other outlets....

The reason you need differant isolated bars is that a GFI Breaker works by detecting voltage to ground. When you power up somthing from the outlet, voltage comes in from your hot (black) wire and returns via the neutral (white) wire. If the neutral and ground wire at the panel are not seperate then the breaker will detect the returning voltage and trip. Or in your case will not even power on.

What Bubba heard:

Quote:

blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah. It won't work, dude. (Note to self: learn something about A/C electrical systems soon.)

Randy1 · 11-21-2005, 10:34 PM

Why won;t it work DUDE!

11-12-2005, 08:09 PM	#1
Randy1 Tenant Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 91	Re: Gfi I installed several outlets above my sump that has ben plumbed to the basment. I decided to run my tank on its own breaker, rather than buying GFI outlets I bought a GFI breaker for this purpose. The problem is when conected in the breaker box it won't go to the on postion. It'd dosn't trip just won't turn on. Anyone try these type of breakers? Thanks

11-13-2005, 09:01 AM	#3
Randy1 Tenant Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 91	Gfi Yes, It works fine until the power is on. I spoke with an elctrician friend and he says it seems to be installed correctly. I however, don't have a real ground on the box (you know the copper rod in the ground.) I might try installing one and see if thats what the GFI is detecting.

11-13-2005, 05:14 PM	#6
Randy1 Tenant Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 91	Re: Gfi Well, it has the common ground (White wire) but no ground to the box, I guess that means the whole house isn't really grounded. I'll install the rod and conect to the bus bar in my box then try it. It's probobly good I'm discovering this.

11-21-2005, 10:34 PM	#10
Randy1 Tenant Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 91	Re: Gfi Why won;t it work DUDE!

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11-20-2005, 02:13 PM	#7
ReefBum New in Town Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 2	Installing a GFI breaker Take a look at the inside of your breaker panel and see if there are 2 differant sets of buss bars. One bar should be for all the ground wires and one bar will be for all your white nutral wires. If you do not have differant isolated bars for neutral and ground the GFI breaker will not work for you. You will need to go to 1 GFI outlet and then run the other normal outlets off the load side of that. Running the other outlets from the load side of the GFI will protect all the other outlets. From the problem you describe it is acting just like it would if the grounding and neutral wire were on the same bar or on differant bars that were not isolated from each other. If your home is an older one this is often the case. Explanation why: The reason you need differant isolated bars is that a GFI Breaker works by detecting voltage to ground. When you power up somthing from the outlet, voltage comes in from your hot (black) wire and returns via the neutral (white) wire. If the neutral and ground wire at the panel are not seperate then the breaker will detect the returning voltage and trip. Or in your case will not even power on. This is a simplified way GFI works but I am sure you get the picture. ReefBum Electrical/Mechanical Engineer

11-20-2005, 04:51 PM	#8
Randy1 Tenant Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 91	Thank You so much for your advise.

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