On 4 Mar 2006 09:41:57 -0800, "
wrote:

OK, thanks Jeff and others.

I pulled out all the devices plugged into all the appropriate
sockets...and the reset button still keeps popping. So it's either
condensed moisture or a bad GFCI.
I guess I'll call an electrician as I'm not an expert in these matters.

Thanks again.


That might be best, but give this a try.
Shut off the power to that GFI. Disconnect the two wires (white and
black) connected to the side that says LOAD. Those go to all the
downstream outlets (the ones it controls). Leave those wires off, and
turn the power back on. If it dont pop, you have a bad connection in
one of those other outlets, and you want to open each one and look for
bare wires or something touching the screws. If it does pop, buy a
new GFI for about $10 to $15, and replace it EXACTLY as the wires are
now.

The wires that power the GFI go to the screws labelled LINE. The
wires that feed the downstream outlets go to LOAD. The bare (or
green) wire goes to the green screw on the GFI. It's really not that
complicated. REMEMBER, white wires always go to SILVER screws, Black
wires go to BRASS or GOLD colored screws, and the bare or green wire
always goes to the GREEN screw.

I highly doubt its condensation. I wont say that 100%, but I run a
farm and I have cords outside that go to animal water tanks that power
tank heaters to keep the water from freezing. Those cords get buried
in snow where the heaters plug into them, so the connection plug is
under the snow, the snow melts some days, and I've had them under or
embedded in ice a few times. They still dont trip the GFI, and I dont
tape them (because sometimes the animals toss the heaters out of the
tanks and I want them to unplug when the animals do this).
However, if I take the garden hose and pour the water directly on the
plug, I will hear the GFI pop in a split second.
This is why I doubt the condensation. They can handle quite a bit
before they pop.