GFCI Outlet...sudden voltage differential, how can I reset?

Question

I had a GFCI trip last night while running a vaccuum. The voltage differential between black and ground is 120 V and between white and ground its 116 V. I am guessing this is the issue since both changing the outlet and even the breaker didn't help. Anyone have an idea on what would cause this sudden and sustained voltage differential.

There is a 20 A breaker and a 20 A GFCI

Answer 1

It may not be the voltage causing the problem but the amps of the circuit.If you are useing a 15 amp breaker and the vacume is drawing 20 amps the gfci will kick out.Thy a 20 amp breaker and it should take care of the problem

Answer 2

You should not be reading a voltage potential
between the white and the ground wire.
Sounds like your neutral conductor is not
bonded to ground at your panel, is this the same
reading you get at all of your outlets, if so your
neutral bus bar is not grounded to your system ground.
Have a qualified electrician resolve this issue if this is the case.

Answer 3

The reason a GFI trips is if there is voltage between neutral and ground. You need to find the outlet that is on that circuit that is causing the problem. For example, I had an outside outlet that was on a GFI circuit (it was a standard outlet-- the GFI outlet was inside the house) and it got wet inside of the outlet box after a torrential rain and was the cause of my GFI to keep tripping. Your GFI is doing it's job, now you need to find the outlet that's on that circuit that is causing the problem.

Answer 4

you should not be readsing voltaage between ground and the neutral because the neutral is a grounded conductercheck the gfi to see if it is still working properly sometimes they dont reset
.