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Wireman · Outlets, GFCI & AFCI troubleshooting · 2023 NEC ·

Outlets, GFCI & AFCI

Dead outlets, resets, nuisance trips, wiring faults.

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Receptacle or circuit is deadNo power at an outlet or a group of outlets. Work through it from the panel to the box.Up to 5 steps GFCI won’t reset or keeps trippingNo power to the GFCI, line and load swapped, or a real ground fault downstream.Up to 3 steps AFCI breaker keeps trippingReal arcs, shared neutrals, neutral-to-ground contact and appliance trips.Up to 3 steps Outlet warm, discolored or smells hotTell normal warmth under a heavy load from a loose or failing connection that can start a fire.Up to 4 steps Sparks when plugging inA tiny flash can be normal. A pop, soot or sparks while plugged in are not.Up to 4 steps Plugs fall out of the outletWorn contacts, a loose device in the box, or a bad plug. Each has a simple fix.Up to 2 steps Plug-in tester shows a wiring faultWhat each light pattern means, what the tester can’t see, and how to confirm with a meter.Up to 3 steps Several GFCIs trip togetherMap which GFCI feeds which, then look for shared neutrals, moisture or one leaky appliance.Up to 3 steps Dual-function breaker trip indicatorsRead what the breaker says tripped it, then follow the cause: ground fault, arc fault or overload.Up to 3 steps 240 V receptacle dead (dryer, range, welder)Measure both legs at the receptacle to find a lost leg, a burned connection or an appliance fault.Up to 4 steps USB or smart receptacle not workingSeparate the receptacle’s power from its electronics: USB ports, Wi-Fi, app control and schedules.Up to 3 steps Old 2-prong outlets: safe upgrade optionsAdd a real ground, use GFCI protection with labels, or replace with a 2-prong. Never a bootleg ground.Up to 5 steps