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Will a GFCI tester work on a receptacle outlet with no ground on a 2-wire circuit?
Friday, June 25, 2021
No. All GFCI receptacles with the push-buttons in the center trip when they detect a difference between the amount of current flowing into the receptacle on the ungrounded (hot, white) wire and out of it on the grounded (neutral, black) conductor. When you push the TEST button, a device inside the receptacle creates that imbalance to verify that it will function when an actural ground fault occurs.
But all plug-in test devices create the imbalance by shunting some of the current to the equipment grounding (ground, green or bare) wire on the circuit. This includes both the simple three-light testers and more sophisticated electronic ones, and they won’t work if there is no ground connection. For a work-around, go to How do I test an ungrounded receptacle for GFCI protection on a 2-wire circuit?
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Here’s links to a collection of our other blog posts about AFCI and GFCI RECEPTACLES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS:
• Does a septic pump or sump pump require a GFCI-receptacle?
• What is the difference between what trips a GFCI (ground fault) receptacle and a circuit breaker?
• Are Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) really necessary and worth the trouble?
• What is the code requirement for GFCI protection for receptacles near a wet bar sink?
• When did arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) breakers first become required?
• How do I identify a combination AFCI (CAFCI) circuit breaker?
• What electrical hazards does a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) NOT protect against?
• What is the difference between GFCI and AFCI circuit breakers?
• Where are GFCI receptacle outlets required?
• When were GFCI receptacle outlets first required?
• What happens when you press the "TEST" button on a circuit breaker in an electric panel?
• What is a Dual Function Circuit Interrupter (DFCI)?
• What is the switch on the wall with two pushbuttons?
• How far apart should kitchen counter receptacles be spaced?
• My GFCI reset button is hard to push and won't reset. What's wrong?
• Why do some breakers in my electric panel have a "TEST" button on them?
Visit our AFCI AND GFCI page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.
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