Replies

1. 
   Ken | Nov 03, 2002 02:11am | #1

   Forgot to mention it's a Challenger panel.

   thanks,

   Ken

1. 
   Frankie | Nov 03, 2002 02:19am | #2

   It happens all the time. I am guessing that your GFCI breaker is at the sub panel near the hot tub. What happened though is you not only tripped the sub panel breaker, but also the main panel breaker. So, first reset, then turn off the sub panel breaker, reset the main panel breaker and then turn on the sub panel breaker.

1. 
   Ken | Nov 03, 2002 02:24am | #3

   Frankie,

   Thanks for answering. Don't have quite the setup you describe.

   I've got a pull switch at the sub panel near the tub, the gfci breaker is at the main panel. I've tried resetting the gfci with the pull switch in and out.

   Can't get the other one to reset either (my test "let's see if the other one works better". The circuit breaker doesn't have a reset like I'm used to seeing on the one's in outlets, so I thought you just reset the breaker.

   So I'm still lost,

   Ken

1. 
   Frankie | Nov 03, 2002 02:49am | #6

   Went back and reread your original post.

   1. Might there be a safety feature on your hot tub so that the power will not turn anything on until it's refilled?

   2. How are you testing the power flow?

   3. Where?

   4. Are you comfortable with testing the curcuit with another breaker? For the first test it doesn't have to be a GFCI. If the curcuit then work you can go out and spend the big bucks on a GFCI unit. Hey they do burn out...better them than us!

   5. I do not know off hand if Challenger and Cutler-Hammer are compatible but HD was selling the CH subpanel AND the 50/60 amp two pole GFCI breaker for $69. I real elect. sup. can't even give me the GFCI breaker for that price. CH is also 1st quality. What a bonus!

2. 
   BillK68 | Nov 03, 2002 02:43am | #4

   Ken,

   This may sound simple, but I had to ask....most breakers require you to turn them off after tripping, then back on. Are you doing this, or just trying to turn them on ?

   Bill Koustenis

3. 
   rjw | Nov 03, 2002 02:45am | #5

   I thought you pressed the test button, the breaker popped off, and you pushed the breaker back to the on position.

   Am I missing something completely obvious here?

   Well, if it doesn't reset, maybe it failed the test!  The test is not only for turning off, but turning back on.

   Put in a new breaker (assuming it isn't something else others have mentioned.)

4. 
   bake | Nov 03, 2002 03:14am | #7

   Try putting a voltage tester on the line side of the gfci and determine which way to go from there.

   bake

1. 
   Ken | Nov 03, 2002 04:01am | #8

   Thanks all for the answers, all good suggestions, and I've tried everything up to replacing them. Since this circuit was just installed 6 weeks ago by an electrician, I think I'll just call him Monday.

   Should still be in the warranty period. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something real obvious. It's right at freezing and this is a hot tub circuit. Since this isn't fixable tonight, I'll just put a lamp near the pump to keep it above freezing.

   Thanks for the help,

   Ken

1. 
   toddlen1875 | Nov 11, 2002 06:23am | #9

   let us know what it was

1. 
   Ken | Nov 11, 2002 05:18pm | #10

   Okay, I was really hoping everyone had moved on to other issues...because this was in fact pure operator error... I was mistaking the tripped position for the off position.

   The group was a big help as one of the suggestions was to make sure I was moving the breaker all the way off.

   Probably need to set up a new account with a new screen name now :-(

   thanks,

   Ken

1. 
   4Lorn1 | Nov 12, 2002 05:35am | #11

   Don't feel bad. Happened to one of my old bosses. Master electrician with 40+ years in the trade and he missed it. Simple mistake to make if your distracted. We ribbed him for about a week, or at least until it came time for him to sign the paychecks, on this. Nobody is perfect. Excuse the next person that you catch in a dim moment and we all call it even. Next time you know what to look for.