GFCI Outlet Keeps Tripping?

I moved into a house built in 1995. There is a GFCI outlet in the bathroom that will not stay on. When you press the reset button, the outlet stays on for about 5 seconds and then the breaker trips. I've replaced the GFCI outlet with the same results. Any advice would be appreciated. It's a 15 amp outlet.

By Lisa

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merlene smith
Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 140 Feedbacks

January 19, 20110 found this helpful

Best Answer

I know a family that got annoyed because the power surge protector kept tripping so they bypassed it and their house burned down. Be careful something like that is not going on with your house. Have you consulted an electrician? Somethings need expert advice and I think electrical problems is probably one of these.

audi

January 16, 20110 found this helpful

Sounds like there is another recptical in that series with the bathroom and it is bad. Possible the wiring, sorry it is not an easy fix and there is some investigating your way.

(Guest)
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January 18, 20110 found this helpful

You mention it's a 15 amp outlet but what is the amp of the breaker and how many other recepticles, lights or fans are on that breaker? I can't remember for sure but I think the load limit of a 15 amp breaker is 1800 watts total. How many light bulbs are there and what are their watts.

What are the watts used for your blow dryer and curling iron or things like electric toothbrush charger or a radio. If you add them up altogether and they're around 1800 watts then perhaps you should consider replacing the breaker for a higher amp one.

Anonymous

August 2, 20180 found this helpful

Only replace the 15 amp breaker with a 20 amp if you have 12 gauge wire. If it is 14 gauge wire keep the 15 amp breaker

Lisa

January 18, 20110 found this helpful

It's the guest bathroom and there is nothing plugged into the outlet. The breaker runs the bathroom as well as the 2 spare rooms. So the only things plugged in are 2 TVs and a clock.

I'm thinking that the load and line wires may be mixed up. We hooked up the new outlet just like the old one and the same thing is happening.

(Guest)
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January 18, 20110 found this helpful

Fluffsmom, I say again that you are probably overloading the breaker and especially since there are outlets and lights etc for the guest bathroom and now knowing also for two other rooms :-o You say you have two TV's (how many watts do those two TV's pull) attached to that breaker but you also have lights and possibly a clock, a radio and maybe even some nite lights or anything else plugged in for all three rooms. What are the watts of all of those items you are using combined? And even if those are not turned on they are using watts.

It is most likely as simple as just having a higher amp breaker put in to replace the current one. Be sure to get the right amount of amperage breaker installed to cover all three rooms and be thankful that the GFI outlet has alerted you of an overload because otherwise you could have had (and still can have) an electrical fire because of probably not enough general breaker amp protection. Whatever the problem might be it would be wise of you to hire a professional licensed electrician at this point to give you help and advice.

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