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starrah3 · Oct 29, 2007, 05:48 AM

We were using the blow dryer the other week in one of our bathrooms, and it stopped running. Initially I thought it was the blow dryer, but it worked fine in other outlets. We thought the plug was bad, so decided the replace it with a GFI (originally it was a regular plug). After connecting the GFI plug, it still didn't work.
After more digging, we realized the plug was hooked up to a GFI breaker, that also supplies other plugs potentially exposed to water in our home. We've solicited help from several people we know, but are getting contradictory advice.
Is it true that a GFI plug WILL NOT work if it's hooked up to a GFI breaker? We were advised this little factoid by a family member, so we tried hooking up a new non-GFI plug, which still doesn't work.
Is it possible that our breaker is bad?
We are by no means electrical experts, so any advice is much appreciated, as we are growing increasingly frustrated with the process of elimination (not to mention me getting extremely nervous having my husband fool around with electricity.)

Stratmando · Oct 29, 2007, 06:24 AM

The GFI at the Panel is all you need, you should be able to Trip and Reset, Right now it may need to be reset. The New GFI outlets won't reset unless it has power.

donf · Oct 29, 2007, 06:27 AM

Either use a GFI breaker or GFI outlet..

If your outlet is dead, go to the GFI breaker, switch it off. Push the lever as far to the off position as you can get it, then push the lever to the on position and test your outlet again/

starrah3 · Oct 29, 2007, 06:31 AM

Originally Posted by starrah3

We were using the blow dryer the other week in one of our bathrooms, and it stopped running. Initially I thought it was the blow dryer, but it worked fine in other outlets. We thought the plug was bad, so decided the replace it with a GFI (originally it was a regular plug). After connecting the GFI plug, it still didn't work.
After more digging, we realized the plug was hooked up to a GFI breaker, that also supplies other plugs potentially exposed to water in our home. We've solicited help from several people we know, but are getting contradictory advice.
Is it true that a GFI plug WILL NOT work if it's hooked up to a GFI breaker? We were advised this little factoid by a family member, so we tried hooking up a new non-GFI plug, which still doesn't work.
Is it possible that our breaker is bad?
We are by no means electrical experts, so any advice is much appreciated, as we are growing increasingly frustrated with the process of elimination (not to mention me getting extremely nervous having my husband fool around with electricity.)

Thank you for the information. However, we have hit the test button, turned the breaker all the way off, and all the way back on, etc. We tried to reset the breaker prior to replacing the plug.

Stratmando · Oct 29, 2007, 06:37 AM

You tried to reset? Did it Reset and trip? When Measuring Voltage out of GFI Breaker, You Must measure the GFI Hot out, and Neutral GFI OUT, Not the panel Neutral Bar, or it may trip.

starrah3 · Oct 29, 2007, 06:49 AM

Yes, we reset it. We tried that prior to attempting to replace the plug. And no, it didn't trip, but it still isn't giving any power to it's designated plugs. So basically, when the breaker is ON, it acts as though it's off.

Stratmando · Oct 29, 2007, 07:15 AM

You will need a tester, to save time and keep safe. Meters allow you to see electricity.
It is invisible and silent.
When you hit the Test Button on Breaker, Did it trip GFI Breaker?

starrah3 · Oct 29, 2007, 07:34 AM

We have a tester. My husband tested some of the breakers in the box, which caused the tester to light up, but when he got the screw on the GFI breaker, the tester didn't light.
Yes, when we hit the test button on the GFI breaker it switches to off.
(I don't mean to sound simple in my responses, but as I stated, I'm not an expert.)

We also have tested the wire going in to the plug we initially thought was faulty. At first test, before we ever removed the original plug from the wall, it tested as having juice. Now that we've installed a new plug, with the breaker in the ON position, there is no juice coming to that plug.

labman · Oct 29, 2007, 11:06 AM

Inside the panel box isn't the best place for the inexperienced. But if you are checking the screw with a voltage detector, you may as well move on to unscrewing it and removing the wire. Turn the breaker all the way to off first. Then remove the wire, and turn it back on and push reset. If you still can't reset the GFI, it is bad. Remember, test turns it off, and reset turns it back on.

biggsie · Oct 29, 2007, 11:27 AM

It appears that the GFI Breaker needs to be reset

Push the switch in the off direction to reset it

Switch back on and check for power at breaker

starrah3 · Oct 29, 2007, 11:55 AM

The breaker does not have a RESET button. It only has a TEST button, which switches the breaker off. From what I understand, that is what the TEST button should do.

labman · Oct 29, 2007, 12:05 PM

Yes, that is what the test button does. Without a reset button, if tuning the breaker off and back on with the wire disconnected doesn't restore power, the breaker is bad.