Christmas is a time for celebration, and what better way to do that than to decorate your home with strings of dazzling Christmas lights! Unfortunately, however, if you’re not careful with your wiring, the lights can cause problems.
One common issue is your outdoor Christmas lights tripping the GFCI.
GFCI stands for ground fault circuit interrupter, and it’s designed to shut off a circuit when it detects an imbalance in the electrical current. This is important because it prevents electrocution and other electrical hazards by quickly cutting off the power if something goes wrong.
GFCIs are usually found in bathrooms and kitchens where water is present, but they can also be found outside in areas where electricity and water could come into contact. When you plug in outdoor Christmas lights on a GFCI-protected outlet, they can trip the GFCI if there’s an imbalance in the current.
Common Causes of Tripping
There are several reasons why your outdoor Christmas lights might be tripping the GFCI:
- The wiring of the lights is faulty or damaged.
- The amperage of the lights exceeds that of the outlet.
- The outlet is not properly grounded.
Preventing Tripping
To prevent tripping due to faulty wiring or too much amperage, make sure your outdoor Christmas lights are rated for use on a GFCI-protected outlet. Also check all cords for any signs of damage or fraying before use. If you’re not sure about anything, don’t hesitate to reach out to a licensed electrician for assistance.
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Grounding Outlets
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If you suspect that your outdoor outlets are not properly grounded, have them inspected by a qualified electrician. Improperly grounded outlets can present serious safety risks and should be fixed as soon as possible.
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Outdoor Christmas lights often trip GFCIs due to faulty wiring or too much amperage being drawn from the outlet.
To prevent this from happening, make sure that your outdoor Christmas lights are rated for use on a GFCI-protected outlet and check all cords for signs of damage or fraying before use. Additionally, if you suspect that your outdoor outlets are not properly grounded, have them inspected by a qualified electrician as soon as possible.
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