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I have 5 GFCI outlets located outside around my house.
3 in the front yard and 2 in the backyard.
Of the 3 in the front, only 1 works.
In the back, only 1 works.
I tried to replace the nonworking GCFI outlets today.
Only in my breaker box, no outside GCFI circuit is listed.
I believe the outside GCFI outlets maybe are tied into my garage?
I checked the garage circuit and it was ok.
I checked the garage GCFI outlets they work too.
I then went into my house and checked all my indoor GCFI outlets and they all worked fine too.
I think I got all of them, not sure.
I tested the outdoor outlets using a tester and there was no power coming to them.
So I replaced them with new ones.
Still no power at the outlets.
Any suggestions on what I should I try?
We just moved into this house maybe 5 months ago.
Have a home warranty which I guess I can use to have them fix the outlets.
Without actually seeing the setup, I can't give a definitive answer, but if you replaced the working GFCI on the front and the other two (which would likely be downstream) don't work, there is a wiring issue or something else going on. I would be tracing circuits at this point. It is also possible that the non-working outlets were taken out of service on purpose, and the two working ones installed as replacements.
Get a current detector (looks like a pen). Check the line and load sides of each outlet and see where the disconnect is. If there is power on the load side of an outlet and no power coming in to the next outlet, then you have a wiring problem. It is a simple process of elimination to find where the disconnect is. Find where the power stops flowing and you have found your problem.
Greatest likelihood is you have an outlet connected incorrectly someplace. You may also have installed a defective GFCI. Just because it is new does not mean it is good.
Do you have a tester that idetnifies open grounds and test triggers the gfci?
Electrician come out today.
Confirmed there no power at outlets.
Checked breaker box, looked good.
Checked every GF outlet in the main floor and basement.
Couldn't figure it out.
So he asks, try turning on a light switch to see if it controls the outlets outside.
Electrician come out today.
Confirmed there no power at outlets.
Checked breaker box, looked good.
Checked every GF outlet in the main floor and basement.
Couldn't figure it out.
So he asks, try turning on a light switch to see if it controls the outlets outside.
Bingo!!!
Seriously, a light switch.
Anyway, problem solved.
Good to read. Now do this..... 5 times.... Jkiddin,
Good to read. Now do this..... 5 times.... Jkiddin,
No kidding, I agree.
As I'm watching the tech, he was doing everything I did.
Checked the breaker box, flicked the circuit on/off.
Checked the GF outlets in the garage.
Checked for power at the outlets.
He was stumped.
So I didn't feel bad because I thought, I did all that too.
Then he sorta in an embarrassed way asked about the light switch.
By his tone, I could tell he was throwing a hail mary out there.
As I'm walking back inside to flick the switch, he is explaining
that sometimes owners tie in the outside outlets to an inside switch
for Christmas lights.
I'd never heard of that but whatever, he's the expert.
Then I flick the switch and like magic, the power is on.
We were both laughing.
But it gets better...
When we bought this house, we are flicking switches to see what turns on/off.
Some switches we flicked and nothing happened.
Thought oh well, we will figure it out later on.
Well it's later on and I forgot about the switches.
As I'm watching the tech, he was doing everything I did.
Checked the breaker box, flicked the circuit on/off.
Checked the GF outlets in the garage.
Checked for power at the outlets.
He was stumped.
So I didn't feel bad because I thought, I did all that too.
Then he sorta in an embarrassed way asked about the light switch.
By his tone, I could tell he was throwing a hail mary out there.
As I'm walking back inside to flick the switch, he is explaining
that sometimes owners tie in the outside outlets to an inside switch
for Christmas lights.
I'd never heard of that but whatever, he's the expert.
Then I flick the switch and like magic, the power is on.
We were both laughing.
But it gets better...
When we bought this house, we are flicking switches to see what turns on/off.
Some switches we flicked and nothing happened.
Thought oh well, we will figure it out later on.
Well it's later on and I forgot about the switches.
I learned a good lesson today.
Just to let you off the hook here, I say, NO it is not standard wiring practices by good electricians to wire homes with indoor switches, that control outside receptacles. Outdoor receptacles, if a means of "control" is needed for them should have a weather proof switch box or timer if desired, located in a weatherproof box in the vicinity of the outdoor receptacles. As you and your electrician just found out is my reasoning for doing so.
If the outdoor receptacles are to be used for decorative holiday lighting, dawn to dusk lighting or for set times only, the big box stores sells all sorts of weatherproof(WP) timers that plug in to a receptacle. Just have to use a " cord in use " listed WP receptacle cover for them . Or use WP photocells mounted in single gang WP boxes, if desired for all night use, and then off in the day time.
JMO
Last edited by greglovesoldtrucks; 06-14-2019 at 10:16 PM..
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