How To Test A Gfci Outlet

The tester can tell you whether the outlet is wired correctly and can also identify several wiring problems including open ground reversed polarity an open hot or neutral and a reversed hot and ground.

How to test a gfci outlet. The black button is for testing the outlet while the red one is for resetting it in the event that it trips. How to test afci and gfci breakers and outlets. Gfcis have two buttons in front often colored red and black. Press the reset button to restore power.

The face of the gfci outlet features two small buttons that are labeled test and reset. If the power goes off the gfci is working. Step 2 test the outlet. If the power doesn t go off replace the gfci.

So the only reliable way to check an older gfci is to use a circuit tester that has its own gfci test button sold at home centers and hardware stores. A standard household outlet features two three prong plug in slots while a gfci outlet features the same plug in configuration plus two buttons on its face. This is a simple electrical device that has three led lights to indicate various test results. The breaker inside a gfci outlet trips when it detects a sudden surge of current such as would be caused by holding an ungrounded appliance while standing in water.

The gfci outlet will have two buttons on it normally these are color coded. A test button and a reset. Simply press the test button and this will trigger a snap sound which indicates that the outlet has tripped. Check that the lamp which is connected to the outlet has turned off.

Plus installing a gfci outlet reduces the risk of electric shock helping ensure the safety of you and your family. In many homes necessary circuit breakers and gfcis are already installed but they can stop working unexpectedly so it is important to know how to replace gfci outlets when this happens. Plug in the tester and push its test button. Press the test button on the front of the outlet and the power should immediately be switched off.