Electric problem -- bathroom safety tripped

Ziroc · 08-28-2003, 05:20 PM

In houses, you know the 'safety trip' that will trip to prevent you from being hurt--it's in the 2 Bathrooms. Anyway, It was tripped when I woke, and I went to untrip it at the circuit box, but it kept tripping, so I unplugged everything from those bathroom plugs as usual, and it STILL won't untrip. I works everytime in the past...

Is the fuse blown maybe? if so, can I replace it? Do you need to turn off the main power switch before you replace the plug?

Thanks!

Cloudbringer · 08-28-2003, 05:22 PM

Dan, are they ground fault interruptor outlets (GFI)? They'd have a pair of small black and red buttons in the middle of the outlet (or at least ONE would). If so, press the red one all the way in, then press the black button in. THEN go try your circuit breaker again.

Did you maybe get water in one of the outlets? That might keep it from resetting.

edit: Most cities require GFI outlets in bathrooms and near any water source or outdoors, so most likely you have them. There may be a black/red switch on one of the outlets or it may be on an outlet at your breaker box, I've seen both ways of doing it.

[ 08-28-2003, 05:24 PM: Message edited by: Cloudbringer ]

Ziroc · 08-28-2003, 05:33 PM

Yep, thats what I meant, the little red button I pushed, and nada..

I'll ask donna if she splashed water by accident when she get's home.. ugh. This never happened before either.. The fuses have NEVER needed to be replaced since we bought the house in 1989.

Any ideas? [img]smile.gif[/img]

Timber Loftis · 08-28-2003, 05:37 PM

Check the fuse. No, I don't think you have to power down the whole house to replace it. If you're lucky, the fuse will have a visible indicator as to whether it's "blown" or not.

Cloudbringer · 08-28-2003, 05:40 PM

I've never replaced one, but I'm guessing they have a limit to the number of times they can 'pop' so maybe it's just time to get a new one, but if you can't figure it out, call an electrician! We don't want a fried webmaster!

Sir Kenyth · 08-28-2003, 05:41 PM

A bad GFI outlet will default to the "off" position. Might need a new one.

Animal · 08-28-2003, 05:43 PM

To replace it you do need to shut the circuit off at the breaker box. The wires are still live even though the plug isn't.

Generally the plugs are cheap enough, so go new. If the new one trips, then you have much bigger wiring issues. Anything changed in the last few days that may cause a voltage spike?

Timber Loftis · 08-28-2003, 05:47 PM

Guys, it's in both bathrooms, so it likely isn't a bad outlet. Chances are both outlets would not go bad at the same time.

I vote circuit breaker until you confirm it's otherwise.

Ziroc · 08-28-2003, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Animal:
To replace it you do need to shut the circuit off at the breaker box. The wires are still live even though the plug isn't.

Generally the plugs are cheap enough, so go new. If the new one trips, then you have much bigger wiring issues. Anything changed in the last few days that may cause a voltage spike?

Well, we had some lightning (again) today. [img]smile.gif[/img] I will take the hairdryer and blow air into the plugs and see if that helps--she could have plugged in a wet plug or something..

I'll power down everything before I even touch it.. I have come to be VERY Respectful of electricity after a few STATIC shocks from my power supply. LOL!!

Ziroc · 08-28-2003, 05:54 PM

Nevermind, It finally stayed in the untripped notch. Maybe it had some condinsation in the plug or something.. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Anyway, all is well. Now I can see to read while I...

08-28-2003, 05:20 PM	#1
Ziroc Ironworks Webmaster *Bow to the Meow* Join Date: January 4, 2001 Location: Lakeland, Florida Age: 51 Posts: 11,720	In houses, you know the 'safety trip' that will trip to prevent you from being hurt--it's in the 2 Bathrooms. Anyway, It was tripped when I woke, and I went to untrip it at the circuit box, but it kept tripping, so I unplugged everything from those bathroom plugs as usual, and it STILL won't untrip. I works everytime in the past... Is the fuse blown maybe? if so, can I replace it? Do you need to turn off the main power switch before you replace the plug? Thanks! __________________ Ziroc™ Ironworks Gaming Webmaster www.ironworksgaming.com The Great Escape Studios - 2D/3D Modeling www.tgeweb.com & Ziroc's Facebook Page Visit My Flickr Photo Album

08-28-2003, 05:22 PM	#2
Cloudbringer Ironworks Moderator Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Upstate NY USA Posts: 19,737	Dan, are they ground fault interruptor outlets (GFI)? They'd have a pair of small black and red buttons in the middle of the outlet (or at least ONE would). If so, press the red one all the way in, then press the black button in. THEN go try your circuit breaker again. Did you maybe get water in one of the outlets? That might keep it from resetting. edit: Most cities require GFI outlets in bathrooms and near any water source or outdoors, so most likely you have them. There may be a black/red switch on one of the outlets or it may be on an outlet at your breaker box, I've seen both ways of doing it. [ 08-28-2003, 05:24 PM: Message edited by: Cloudbringer ] __________________ "Don't take life for granted." Animal (may he rest in peace)

08-28-2003, 05:33 PM	#3
Ziroc Ironworks Webmaster *Bow to the Meow* Join Date: January 4, 2001 Location: Lakeland, Florida Age: 51 Posts: 11,720	Yep, thats what I meant, the little red button I pushed, and nada.. I'll ask donna if she splashed water by accident when she get's home.. ugh. This never happened before either.. The fuses have NEVER needed to be replaced since we bought the house in 1989. Any ideas? [img]smile.gif[/img] __________________ Ziroc™ Ironworks Gaming Webmaster www.ironworksgaming.com The Great Escape Studios - 2D/3D Modeling www.tgeweb.com & Ziroc's Facebook Page Visit My Flickr Photo Album

08-28-2003, 05:37 PM	#4
Timber Loftis 40th Level Warrior Join Date: July 11, 2002 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 11,916	Check the fuse. No, I don't think you have to power down the whole house to replace it. If you're lucky, the fuse will have a visible indicator as to whether it's "blown" or not. __________________

08-28-2003, 05:40 PM	#5
Cloudbringer Ironworks Moderator Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Upstate NY USA Posts: 19,737	I've never replaced one, but I'm guessing they have a limit to the number of times they can 'pop' so maybe it's just time to get a new one, but if you can't figure it out, call an electrician! We don't want a fried webmaster! __________________ "Don't take life for granted." Animal (may he rest in peace)

08-28-2003, 05:41 PM	#6
Sir Kenyth Fzoul Chembryl Join Date: August 30, 2001 Location: somewhere Age: 54 Posts: 1,785	A bad GFI outlet will default to the "off" position. Might need a new one. __________________ Master Barbsman and wielder of the razor wit!<br /><br />There are dark angels among us. They present themselves in shining raiment but there is, in their hearts, the blackness of the abyss.

08-28-2003, 05:43 PM	#7
Animal Gold Dragon Join Date: March 29, 2002 Location: Canada Age: 51 Posts: 2,534	To replace it you do need to shut the circuit off at the breaker box. The wires are still live even though the plug isn't. Generally the plugs are cheap enough, so go new. If the new one trips, then you have much bigger wiring issues. Anything changed in the last few days that may cause a voltage spike? __________________ It\'s all fun and games until somebody loses an eye...then it becomes a sport.<br /> [img]\"http://members.shaw.ca/mtholdings/bsmeter.gif\" alt=\" - \" />

08-28-2003, 05:47 PM	#8
Timber Loftis 40th Level Warrior Join Date: July 11, 2002 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 11,916	Guys, it's in both bathrooms, so it likely isn't a bad outlet. Chances are both outlets would not go bad at the same time. I vote circuit breaker until you confirm it's otherwise. __________________

08-28-2003, 05:54 PM	#10
Ziroc Ironworks Webmaster *Bow to the Meow* Join Date: January 4, 2001 Location: Lakeland, Florida Age: 51 Posts: 11,720	Nevermind, It finally stayed in the untripped notch. Maybe it had some condinsation in the plug or something.. [img]smile.gif[/img] Anyway, all is well. Now I can see to read while I... __________________ Ziroc™ Ironworks Gaming Webmaster www.ironworksgaming.com The Great Escape Studios - 2D/3D Modeling www.tgeweb.com & Ziroc's Facebook Page Visit My Flickr Photo Album

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