Do GFCI Outlets Go Bad? A Guide for Port Washington Residents

Port Washington averages 116 days of precipitation annually, contributing to 23 inches of snow and 47 inches of rain each year. The latter is almost ten inches more than the national average, and with this rain comes abrasive winds that knock down electrical poles and flooding that cuts power in underground wires. GFCI outlets protect against surges when the power returns, but do GFCI outlets go bad?

Port Washington’s top-notch electricians at Professional Services are knowledgeable and have 30 years of experience. Therefore, we understand many homeowners believe a GFCI outlet offers automatic protection no matter what. But, unfortunately, they do go bad, putting your home at risk once again. Below, we’ll dive into why this happens and the signs pointing to this issue. 

What Are GFCI Outlets?

A ground fault circuit interrupter outlet is an electrical device technicians install into your wiring system. While they don’t have to be in every Port Washington household room, they must replace all traditional outlets in your home’s kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and other places that come in contact with water to remain up to code. 

Unlike traditional ones, GFCI outlets use sensors to detect surges within the wires before they reach the outlet. It then shuts down the electrical flow to that given outlet within 30 milliseconds so it doesn’t fry plugged-in devices or cause electrical shocks and household fires. 

These outlets also refrain from tripping your circuit breaker and causing whole-room or whole-home power outages. So, unplug all appliances, hit the reset button, and it’ll start up again. However, anything from overloading the outlet with plugs (which weakens its sensors) to loose wires touching and melting the surrounding insulation causes the outlets to wear prematurely.

What Causes Port Washington GFCI Outlets To Go Bad?

If your GFCI outlet trips frequently, it’s likely at the end of its lifespan. These electrical outlets last 10 to 15 years, after which you should have a qualified Port Washington technician replace them for safety. 

Other times, reoccurring interruptions occur long before the ten-year mark due to ground faults, where current from an AC or DC circuit contacts a ground wire. As current flows through unintended paths, leaks of 0.005 amps and up cause immediate and constant tripping until you schedule a repair. If you don’t, it’ll continue to happen, irreversibly frying the outlet wires. 

Some other factors that cause constant tripping and lead you to start wondering, “Do GFCI outlets go bad?” include:

• A defective outlet with worn-out sensitivity circuitry 
• An electrical fault originating from structural wiring that affects all connected outlets 
• Moisture buildup in the receptacle box of an outdoor GFCI outlet
• High temperatures or direct UV rays that overheat the device

How to Check If Your GFCI Outlet Is Faulty In Your Port Washington Home

While some Port Washington residents want to check the stability of their GFCI outlets once they start acting up, others who just moved into homes that already have them want to see if they’re still working optimally. Whatever your reason, begin testing yours by purchasing an inexpensive three-prong tester and pulling out all plugs from the outlet. 

You’ll notice test and reset buttons on the front of the outlet. You probably have plenty of experience hitting the reset button by now, but this time, press the black test button. If the button pops back out, faulty wiring may be leaving your outlet without power. 

However, if the button remains pressed, plug in the tester. The tester not only lights up if it’s receiving power but also explains how much electricity flows through it. If it doesn’t light up, either a GFCI on that circuit or the circuit breaker itself tripped, which commonly happens after hitting the reset button on a faulty GFCI outlet. 

Finally, pull the tester out and hit the reset button. The black test button should pop back out after you click the red reset button, but if it doesn’t, that also means you should call a Port Washington professional. 

From Promptness to Professionalism, We’re the Perfect Port Washington Team For You!

From the Thomas Dodge Homestead to the Main Stree School, there are many Port Washington structures listed within the National Register of Historic Places. Whether your home is a historic home or not, your outlets shouldn’t be. 

Contact our locally owned and operated Professional Services for 24/7 emergency assistance and high-quality work. Whether you want to know why your recessed LED lights are burning out or “Do GFCI outlets go bad?” call 262-435-5574 and we’ll provide a free Port Washington estimate!