elevtrical outlets don't work?

Question

do the reset buttons on bathroom outlets control all outlets or
just those in the bathrooms?

Answer 1

The GFCI outlet buttons should control only that outlet. It is possible that an outlet beyond that could be affected if the GFCI outlet is tripped... especially if someone has retrofitted them into older wiring.

Answer 2

That all depends on how (cheap) the contractor wired the home. Sometimes you will find that the GFCI in the bathroom also controls an outside, basement, garage, kitchen, porch or additional bathroom receptical. Wiring this way will save the contractor a few dollar in installation by not having to buy more than 1 or 2 GFCI recepticals.

In any event, the bathroom GFCI should not control more than 4 additional outlets. NEC (national electrical code) states that there should no more that 5 recepticles per 20amp circuit.

If you would like to test if your question. Push the test button to "trip" the circuit and then go around the home, garage, etc. with a lamp and test the other outlets. If you find one not working then "reset" the GFCI and see the lamp comes back on.

Once you figure out what controls what (with some simple testing) it would be a good idea to label the discovered outlets with a "GFCI Protected" sticker. Hope this helps.

Michael P. Guess again sweet P. Watch the online instructions here http://www.easy2diy.com/cm/easy/diy_ht_index.asp?page_id=35720244 You will find the outlet has a "load" side that can power addional outlets.

Answer 3

Yes GFIs can control more than one outlet depending on where they are in a circuit. An example is the GFI in our master bath also controls the outside outlet on our deck. Reset your GFI to make sure you have all outlets operating then trip the test button on the GFI to see which outlets you lose. Checkespecially the outside outlets, if you have any, because after a heavy blowing rainstorm it's possible you have some water inside of one of those outside outlets.

Answer 4

The CFCI outlet in your bathroom may control other outlets in the house. If it trips and you reset the safety, the other outlets should have power if they are downstream of the GFCI.

Answer 5

Each ground fault receptacle is made to reset only that particular outlet location. If all are tripping at the same time, a ground fault is occurring prior to the GFI outlets you have described and would require (for safety's sake) a qualified electrician to find and repair the problem. Good luck.

Answer 6

It could very easily control others. It depends on how it was wired. It can just as easily be changed.

Answer 7

Usually just those in bathrooms, outside, garage, possibly basement.