December 12, 2011 By Dave Rongey ©2007-2012Author - Licensed Electrical Contractor Filed under Outlet Circuit Breaker

2 Comments

Circuit Breakers and Electrical Wiring Safety

Circuit Breaker and GFCI Outlet Electrical Wiring

• I don’t know the specific wiring order, and here is why.
  • When I plug my GFCI outlet tester into any of these three outlets, it gives a signal that that the Hot and Ground are reversed. (GB tester reads red, off, yellow.)
  • This is true even when I turn the circuit breaker to the laundry room off.

• I would look at this wiring to see if that is the case, but my real concern is one of safety.
• Something is powering this circuit and I don’t want to work on it if it is getting power even when the circuit breaker supposedly serving it is off.

• Do I have the wrong circuit breaker?
  • Another outlet in the laundry room is working, and when I turn the breaker off, it powers down that outlet as one would expect.
  • This leads me to believe that the GFCI is bad, and the GFCI comes first in line among the three bad outlets. But again.
  • I don’t want to be working on a circuit that I cannot power down.

Can you help?

My home was built in the late 1990s.

This electrical question came from: Clay, a Homeowner from Stillwater MN
See more about Electrical Wiring for Minnesota

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Clay.

Symptoms of Electrical Circuit or Outlet Problems and What to Do

• Clay, it is possible that the GFCI outlet is bad, however if there was circuit voltage to the ground then at least one circuit breaker should be tripping off.
  • The problem circuit will need to be identified, examined and tested to discover what exactly is occurring.

The Following links will assist you with your electrical question:
Dave, The Electrician

Using electrical testers

• Electrical Safety and Voltage Testers
  • When working on home electrical wiring, quality 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.

For more information about GFCI Wiring
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.

• Circuit Breakers
• House Wiring Circuits and Circuit Breakers
• Circuit Wiring
• Laundry Room Electrical Wiring
• Electrical Outlets
• Types of Electrical Testers

Electrical Outlet Wiring

Wiring Electrical Outlet 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

• Electric Circuit Listing
  • The size of the home electrical service panel is designed by calculating the square footage of the home and factoring in the code requirements for the electrical circuits that are required.

circuit breaker

• Electrical Wiring Protection using Circuit Breakers
  • A guide to home electrical circuit breakers and how they work to protect your electrical wiring. When properly installed, your home electrical wiring is protected by a circuit protection device.

How to Install Laundry Room Electrical Wiring

• Laundry Room Electrical Wiring
  • Fully Explained Photos and Wiring Diagrams for Laundry Room Electrical Wiring with Code Requirements for most new or remodel projects.

How to Install Garage Electrical Wiring

• Garage Electrical Wiring
  • Fully Explained Photos and Wring Diagrams for Garage Electrical Wiring with Code Requirements for most new or remodel projects.