I work in my garage and have been for over a year now. My whole setup is plugged into a good (not cheap) power strip, but not a APC.

This morning, came out, and it was all off.

Checked the breaker, it was fine, but flipped it on and off anyway. Turned off the power strip unplugged it, and unplugged a couple of devices that I didnt need from it. Checked the GFI had snapped so I reset it.

As soon as I plugged in the power strip to the GFI it snapped off.

Repeated the whole process, but keeps snapping off.

Ideas? Things I should try? Replace the GFI plug?

TIA

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/02/2015 02:33PM by jdc.

GFI breakers go bad after so many trips in my experience.

So do power strips.

I assume that you're talking about a GFCI outlet, not a plug. Is that correct? Whether it's a GFCI outlet or the GFCI plug on a tool or power strip, it can go bad. That said, it sounds to me like your power strip has developed a ground fault and the GFCI is just doing its job. Try plugging individual devices into the GFCI. If they work fine then it's probably your power strip that has a fault.

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Shut of the breaker, reset the switch, turn the breaker back on - isn't that the way it's supposed to be done?

And yes, anything that can plug a cord into can go bad. I had to replace one a few years ago and it was working just fine for 20 years previously.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/02/2015 01:40PM by hal.

Yes, more frequently than GFCI breakers. I've replaced a few in my time. Usually after a good 10+ years.

The power strip should be the easier of the two to eliminate from the equation.

GFCI outlets most certainly go bad.
I had three that were installed at the same time in the same weather proof boxes outside all go bad the same Summer.
Would trip when you physically plugged in a plug. You could reset and it would work fine.
Had a circuit breaker version go bad too.

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Do what Davester said. But, to answer your question, yes they can go bad...but do what Davester said first.

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mstudio
Do what Davester said. But, to answer your question, yes they can go bad...but do what Davester said first.

Yes... what mstudio said, which is to do what Davester said, and that yes, they can go bad.

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thanks all.

Had to get work done, so moved inside temporarily.

Reset everything again, unplugged my iMac and then powered it all on. Seems to be working fine without the iMac plugged in...

Might not be a bad idea to get a new power strip -- it is old -- but a tank. Not a cheapy thing. $10 Staples thing.

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

It's also possible that the Imac has developed a mild ground 'leak' someplace. Swap out the power cable if you have a spare and see if that helps. That and blowing dust out of the iMac may also help. Even a mild bit of conductive dust between case ground and live will cause a GFI to trip.

"Shut of the breaker, reset the switch, turn the breaker back on - isn't that the way it's supposed to be done?"


The reset buttons of newer GFIs (from 2003 on) will purposely not catch hold if they are not receiving power or are not hooked up right.