Problems with Outside AC Outlets

Slackers · October 2020

Our outdoor alternating current (shore-powered) outlets stop working intermittently. The indoor outlets (but not the GFCI) work reliably. Usually a toggle of the circuit breaker (and/or the GFCI reset) restores function. I have checked all the connections on the outlets and they appear to be secure. The failures are not weather or humidity related. The failures are not load related either. Our 2019 CS-S has a hard-wired PMS which shows no errors or faults. Any suggestions?

pthomas745 · October 2020

Look very closely at the GFCI reset buttons. Some are hard to reset. This comment from a thread a couple of years ago might help:

"Just a quick interweb search revealed that some GFCI outlets will display a red light when tripped and a green light when in normal condition so yours might just be tripped. Try resetting it (pushing the non-receded button then the normal button")

Slackers · October 2020

Yes that often fixes the problem, but it keeps happening in a way that is unpredictable and I'd like to find out why.

Sharon_is_SAM · October 2020

Change out the GFCI outlet. They can go bad. Cheap place to start.

4ncar · October 2020

X2 to @Sharon_is_SAM. Both gfci & arc fault outlets use micro circuitry; it doesn’t take much to have them to start flaking out....

Slackers · October 2020

Thanks everyone. I've only seen the red fault light when I hit the test button even though a reset often resolves the issue. @Sharon_is_SAM what you say about replacing it makes sense.

ScottG · October 2020

+1 on GFCI replacement. All of the accessible outlets are wired on a single circuit through that one GFCI. (At least that is the way it is in my T@B).

Dinger · October 2020

I highly recommend this little tool as a great first step in troubleshooting things:
https://www.fluke.com/en-sg/product/electrical-testing/basic-testers/fluke-1ac-ii

That and a multi-bit screwdriver are in my backpack at all times.

Slackers · October 2020

I replaced the cabin GFCI outlet with an extra I had on-hand. So far so good with all outside outlets. Thanks all for your help!

ScottG · October 2020

I once had a GFCI start buzzing loudly just before it LITERALLY let the smoke out and stopped working for good. I've also had experience with certain brands of GFCI tripping when used with certain devices. They are temperamental little buggers--glad that swapping out yours seems to have solved the problem!

Problems with Outside AC Outlets

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