GFCI problem

[kcflhrc]

I would also use a wet weather rated GFCI as well as wet weather rated outlets if not already. Don't use indoor outlets outdoors or in a dirty environment. The one's I'm using outdoors have a WR stamped right on them and they are also in weatherproof boxes.

 

[TheMan419]

Why have the fans on the GFCI ? For all they cost put a GFCI in each horse stall.

he said he uses heated water buckets in the winter. GFCI needed for that for sure.

Ideal would be a sep breaker dedicated to each outlet with each outlet being GFCI. But that is not what OP has.

Start farthest from the GFCI test your way back to isolate the problem. If you get back to the GFCI with no problem replace the GFCI as stated above.

Each of those buckets is probably a 5 gallon 130 watt bucket. So drawing about an amp. How many buckets you running through that one circuit?

 

[RobA]

Thanks for your advice and suggestions.

Short answer: the problem was the 4th outlet downstream.

Long answer: before replacing anything I opened all the boxes to visually inspect the wires and connections. I also cleaned out the dust and cobwebs. The wiring looked OK and there was no evidence of bugs. Next I replaced the GFCI outlet in question. I used one rated for outdoor and damp locations. Turned everything back and tested all of the outlets - all good - for about 2 minutes when the GFCI tripped. Next I disconnected the furthest downstream outlet and tested the GFCI. Bingo. I replaced the outlet and everything is now good. When I removed the old one I noticed some irregularities in one of outlets. And the plug that was in it had one of the prongs blackened a bit. Good thing for GFCIs!

To answer some other questions - all of the outlets in the barn are connected to a GFCI. There are 4 stalls and each has a GFCI outlet outside the stall at chest height. Each of those GFCIs has its own breaker. One of those GFCIs has 4 downstream outlets above the stalls for fans, buchet heaters etc. Those 4 downstream outlets are controlled by 1 switch which turns out to be useful to turns the fans on and off all at once.

 

[buickanddeere]

he said he uses heated water buckets in the winter. GFCI needed for that for sure.

Ideal would be a sep breaker dedicated to each outlet with each outlet being GFCI. But that is not what OP has.

Start farthest from the GFCI test your way back to isolate the problem. If you get back to the GFCI with no problem replace the GFCI as stated above.

Each of those buckets is probably a 5 gallon 130 watt bucket. So drawing about an amp. How many buckets you running through that one circuit?

I said why have the fans on the GFCI ? Well duh of course have the water buckets on a GFCI. I said have an individual GFCI for each bucket .

 

[RobA]

I said why have the fans on the GFCI ? Well duh of course have the water buckets on a GFCI. I said have an individual GFCI for each bucket .

The fans and the water buckets use the same outlets. All the outlets in the barn are on GFCIs. Most are individual but the 4 running at the top edge of the stalls are on 1 GFCI (the one in question).

 

[RobA]

Each of those buckets is probably a 5 gallon 130 watt bucket. So drawing about an amp. How many buckets you running through that one circuit?

4 stalls but only 3 horses so there are only 3 heated buckets. 1 amp each on a 20 amp circuit. There is also a 12.5 amp trough heater on the circuit (that's the plug that a blackened prong and the bad outlet).

 

[JRobyn]

Too late for this time, but I found one of these to be a real time-saving when I was building and wiring our house. Checked every outlet just to be sure.

Electrical Receptacle Tester with GFCI Diagnosis

 

[teejk]

Too late for this time, but I found one of these to be a real time-saving when I was building and wiring our house. Checked every outlet just to be sure.

Electrical Receptacle Tester with GFCI Diagnosis

Everybody should have one of those but the OP's problem was that a downstream outlet was tripping the upstream GFCI preventing any testing downstream. GFCI's do go bad (they have internal electronics so are vulnerable like any other electronic device). Have to bypass that in order to test anything downstream if you wire the GFCI to provide ground fault protection downstream.

 

[aczlan]

4 stalls but only 3 horses so there are only 3 heated buckets. 1 amp each on a 20 amp circuit. There is also a 12.5 amp trough heater on the circuit (that's the plug that a blackened prong and the bad outlet).

Make sure that the new outlet is a 20 amp commercial grade outlet (perhaps even a single plug outlet). A 15 amp outlet while legal on a 20 amp circuit with multiple outlets can melt with a sustained load nearing its rated capacity (especially the $0.75 specials from your local big box store).
BTDT with our stock tank heaters.
My hope is to go to a insulated "freeze proof" waterer for our barn soon. That will only need a 150w silicone pad type heater on the outside of the tank and will autofill year round.

Aaron Z

 

[teejk]

Make sure that the new outlet is a 20 amp commercial grade outlet (perhaps even a single plug outlet). A 15 amp outlet while legal on a 20 amp circuit with multiple outlets can melt with a sustained load nearing its rated capacity (especially the $0.75 specials from your local big box store).
BTDT with our stock tank heaters.
My hope is to go to a insulated "freeze proof" waterer for our barn soon. That will only need a 150w silicone pad type heater on the outside of the tank and will autofill year round.

Aaron Z

There is a reason some outlets/switches sell for a few bucks vs. the bargain basement stuff. Good luck with your heater pad idea. The internal heaters suck a lot of juice, will goof with your AM radio signal and are prone to leaks that will trip a GFCI. My wife tried 3 stock tank heaters on her fish pond and finally gave up and bought one made for fish ponds.