Cutler Hammer GFCI Breakers how to reset..just learned

[gnvrvin]

For some reason I lost power to the drivers side 120V outlets

Opened the panel as my GFCI which encompass both drivers side and seperate 120V circuit for the passenger side are fed by 2 different breakers

Tried to reset tripped breaker by pressing switch back up...no luck
In process pressed test button on passenger side breaker and could not reset...crud

Had a spare GFCI breaker so replaced drivers side and restored power
When playing with removed suspected bad breaker I ended up pushing switch down toward off then back up to on and it locked back into the one position

Just letting some folks that don't know this if you have GFCI breakers to reset them press pass the tripped breaker to the off position a bit more then back up to one and you should be good to go...doh

So luckily I had a new spare GFCI breaker to swap out ..now I have a used spare that is good as it is clicking back to on now

Hope it helps someone down the line
Greg

[theoldwizard]

I am not certain on breakers, but on GFCI outlets, there must be power coming into the outlet in order for the RESET button to latch.

[gnvrvin]

Was aware of GFCI outlet and power required to reset

I knew I had power in the panel as I tested other circuits and they were hot
Removed the one that tripped and I could not reset and tested power lug on panel and it was hot

What supeised me was the breaker I Removed and play with it and pressed switch further to the off position it was springy then pushing back to on with a click

Tried same maneuver on remaining breaker that I hit the test button and was able to reset it

Just wanted to share

Greg

[Alan_Hepburn]

That has been the procedure for resetting breakers since forever. You need to switch it fully off before switching it back on.

[bigb56]

Originally Posted by Alan_Hepburn

That has been the procedure for resetting breakers since forever. You need to switch it fully off before switching it back on.

Exactly, with all breakers not just GFCI's. Some panels even have a label explaining this. It is a very common service call, we try to explain it on the phone but many times we end up driving out there and resetting the breaker for them. Some older breakers require a good hard push to OFF before they will re-latch. If it feels like a loose tooth you didn't press it hard enough to OFF.

[Mudfrog]

Originally Posted by gnvrvin

Was aware of GFCI outlet and power required to reset

I knew I had power in the panel as I tested other circuits and they were hot
Removed the one that tripped and I could not reset and tested power lug on panel and it was hot

What supeised me was the breaker I Removed and play with it and pressed switch further to the off position it was springy then pushing back to on with a click

Tried same maneuver on remaining breaker that I hit the test button and was able to reset it

Just wanted to share

Greg

Square D gfi breakers work the same. A ground fault will trip the handle to about the midway position and show red behind the clear plastic window. Resetting requires clearing the fault, turning the breaker completely off, and then turning it back on. As far as I know, this is the way they've always worked.