GFCI Circuit Breaker Problem repair question?

Question

My bathroom outlets are all on a GFCI circuit breaker. Now they don't power anything. I checked voltage at outlets. Between neutral and line it is 0, but between line or neutral to ground it is 120V. For a working outlet I checked, it is 120V between line and neutral and line to ground but zero for neutral to gnd---that seems to be the expected function. Breaker is not tripped and the test button on it, trips on pressing it. Does this mean the GFCI circuit breaker on my panel of all breakers for all circuits have gone bad and needs to be replaced?

TIA for any tips, hints or ideas

khan

Answer 1

The neutral wire is open between the neutral buss in the panel and where you took the voltage readings.  Maybe wired wrong or a loose connection. Call a qualified professional electrician if this is not making sense.

Answer 2

The test buttons will not trip upon pressing, unless it has power to GFI. No power means buttons will not work at all. You have a loose nuetral. Could be at good GFI output if its on the same circuit, or if all have lost nuetral, it could be in your panel. Wires under screws need to be tightened occasionally, where wire nuts tend to be stable if applied correctly.

Answer 3

If you have one outlet that you are constantly plugging things into, check it first for loose connections.

Answer 4

You expect those sort of values where there is a broken neutral. (no return path). Try a continuity check back to the breaker.

Answer 5

Lose wire on the GFI outlet or on other outlet in the curcuit.

Bad GFI. (They do go bad at times)

Check for loose wire(s) first.