Homelite/Square D Spa Panel 50Amp GFCI breaker troubleshoot

beergutbrew · Joined: 18 Nov 2016 Posts: 7

Went out to the garage to brew today and my panel wouldn't turn on. Immediately went to the breaker panel to make sure the breaker was on, yes. Went to sub panel/spa panel to check to see if it was on and it had been tripped. Turned off main panel 50amp breaker, reset 50amp GFCI in spa panel, turned on main 50amp breaker and the GFCI tripped again.
I checked any other GFCI's in the house and all were working.
I started trouble shooting:
Checked connections, checked volts at main breaker, reading normal, took out both breakers and checked continuity-all good. Reinstalled both breakers and turned off every other breaker and the GFCI kept resetting.

Question to the group - Can a GFCI be bad even though it passes continuity test in the off and on positions outside the box?
Are there any other test I can do before I drop $75 or more for a new one?

There was a lightning last night and in previous days, wondering if that could have killed it? nothing else shows signs though.

Thanks for any feedback.

**kal** · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2018 2:51 am Post subject:

Welcome to the forum!

What do you mean when you say the gfi passes a continuity test in the off position? When off it shouldn’t allow anything to pass at all.

GFIs can certainly fail however.

Good luck!

Kal

beergutbrew · Joined: 18 Nov 2016 Posts: 7

Yes. In off position 0.L when on position 0.00(Beep)

**kal** · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2018 1:38 pm Post subject:

I'm not sure what "0.L" means but if off, a breaker shouldn't allow anything to pass. It should be an open circuit.

Good luck!

Kal

Kazumichan · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2018 9:39 pm Post subject:

To take a guess 0.L on his meter would mean out of limits

**kal** · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2018 9:44 pm Post subject:

I Googled it: In most cases it means "open loop" (The circuit path is broken). So that's normal.

Kal

beergutbrew · Joined: 18 Nov 2016 Posts: 7

Replaced breaker. Everything is working. GFCI was bad even though the breaker tested good.

**kal** · Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 2:10 pm Post subject:

Glad you figured it out! Happy brewing!

Kal

beergutbrew · Joined: 18 Nov 2016 Posts: 7

Thanks. Glad it's back in action!! I'm guessing a thunderstorm was too close to my house and zapped it. I'm wondering if shutting off the breaker to the sub panel would protect the GFCI?

**kal** · Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 2:19 pm Post subject:

Possibly! But it's not really something you should have to do. (Most people do not). Most likely just a fluke.

Kal

itsnotrequired · Joined: 15 Sep 2015 Posts: 177 Location: central wi

this thread is a great reminder for everyone to regularly test their gfcis to confirm they are operating properly. we all rely on these for our safety, it is very easy to become complacent and assume they are ready to work.

Ozarks Mountain Brew · Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 3:48 pm Post subject:

Ive had 2 pole breakers go bad on one side only and messed up the air conditioner, it was a fluke to find it but it can happen

wscottcross · Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2018 2:02 am Post subject: