Lost Power to Garage Circuit - Extreme Newbie Quesiton

[JeffLaw]

I discovered this evening that I lost power to 2 separate outlets in my garage. One of the outlets is a GFCI which had a freezer plugged into it via extension cord. The GFCI tripped about 2 weeks ago for the first time, but no follow up problems until today. I tried to re-route the freezer with the extension cord to the only other power outlet in the garage (not GFCI) which was also dead. The 15amp circuit that these outlets go to was not tripped (resetting the circuit made no difference). Now the GFCI outlet that had the freezer plugged into it trips on its own after about 5 seconds following a reset - even when nothing is plugged in. Any advice/trouble shooting tips before brining in a Electrician?

[Mike O.]

It's very possible that the "not" GFCI outlet is fed from the GFCI outlet. All non dedicated outlets in a garage are supposed to be GFCI protected. A single GFCI can feed multiple downstream ones. This is pretty common configuration.

One way you could test this is to plug a turned on lamp into the "non" GFCI. Then reset the GFCI and see if you get any light within the 5 second time before the GFCI trips.

Assuming they are tied together, I would turn off the breaker, check the wiring behind both outlets. Especially look for a connection on the "Load" terminals on the back of the GFCI. This is where other outlets are fed from, and it will be an indication that something is downstream. If there's nothing on the "Load" terminals, then it sounds like you have two different circuits, but it would be odd that they both would have problems at the same time

If everything looks OK, then try a new GFCI. It's possible that the one has failed, maybe the freezer motor has degraded the GFCI circuitry over time.

Incidentially, it's not recommended to put a dedicated function like a freezer (or fridge, sump pump, etc.) on a GFCI, because if it does trip you end up having things go bad.

If you end up having an electrican check into it, see about getting a non-GFCI outlet put in for the freezer. You may be able to eliminate the extension cord, and avoid having your stuff spoil from the outlet tripping.

Mike O.

[Joseph Meehan]

To add to what Mike said. You may have a problem with the wiring in the wall causing the GFCI to trigger or you may have a problem with the freezer. I would not rule out either. Does the freezer have a grounded plug? I don't know if you can legally have even a dedicated circuit in a garage that is not GFCI.

[Chris Lewis]

According to Joseph Meehan :

I believe the rules say that if the "location" (not device) needs a GFCI, but is dedicated (to a major appliance or permanent wire device), you don't need a GFCI, regardless of where it is.

Ie: a washing machine or dryer in a bathroom doesn't need a GFCI. Fridges don't need GFCIs in unfinished basements, garages, or bathrooms. But pools and hot tubs need GFCIs no matter where they are.

To be anally correct, it should be a single-receptacle outlet tho (NEC, not CEC I believe) to avoid portable appliances being connected to it.