Why would a GFI in a home work only occasionally?

Question

I have a home that was built in 2006, I have a outside breaker box, with that I now have a GFI that doesn't work thru out the home, what I mean is that when it gets below 38 degrees F, the GFI's don't work in any of the home, you can reset it all you want, still won't work, all GFI's have been replaced, I have had electricians out, they don't know what is wrong with it either, I need some advice on what to do next... The outlets do work later after the temp warms up, we live in colorado so weather has been the noticable factor. Ideas anyone...If I don't get this fixed soon my wife will strangle me...she works at 4am, so it doesn't work when she "needs" it. Thanks

The breaker box is outside so where is the air coming from, couldn't be the home, other wise our heating bill would be thru the roof, no pun intended, I do think that you could be right about the moisture, we have had tons of snow and ice and fog, all in the last 7 weeks in a row! Any ideas how to seal it anyways.

Answer 1

My guess is air from the house is migrating into the breaker box, coming into contact with cold and condensing to moisture causing the gfc's to do their job and shut down. Seal the opening into the house with insulation and the problem will leave before your wife does.

Answer 2

Home built in 2006... GFI's that stop working below 38 degrees... Is this a mobile home?

If so, you most likely have a heat tape plugged into an outlet, under your home. This outlet is also on the GFI circuit. I would inspect the heat tape to make sure it is operating properly, not damaged, etc.

If the problem is moisture collecting inside the outside GFI outlets, you can seal them with a little plastic and duct tape.

Since you mention that the outlets work fine after the temp warms up... I would be looking for that outlet under the home.

Good Luck

Answer 3

I would look at the appliances plugged into these outlets.

GFCI outlets are routinely wired in a circuit that may include two bathrooms and part of a kitchen.

A ground fault occurring in any one appliance in the circuit will cause the entire circuit to close.

To test your temperature theory, unplug all appliances from all GFCI plugs, reset and see if it trips on its own.