GFI trips

[mglambo]

Hello. Brand new here. When I plug in my pond the GFI outlet trips every time. This only started recently. All seems dry at the plug and elsewhere. Two people have told me it is likely that the pump is going bad. The pump is pretty inaccessible but I could get to it and check it out. Just wondering if anyone had any thoughts about this.
Thanks in advance.

 

[mrsclem]

Can you try plugging something else into that GFI? If it trips with something else then its not the pump. Is there anything else plugged in on that circuit? Possibly overloaded circuit.

 

[mglambo]

Other things plugged in there do not trip it. Nothing else plugged in there.

 

[JRS]

Welcome! Seems like it has to be something wrong with the pump then. I'd check the cord also. Good example of safety equipment doing it's job.

 

[mrsclem]

If its just the pump causing it then probably time for a new pump. Gfi doing its job keeping you and fish safe. I had a pump go bad and electrify my pond- not good!

 

[j.w]

@mglambo
Sounds like you need a new pump.

 

[mglambo]

Thanks!!!

 

[IPA]

GFI’s also go bad and the circuit breaker can go bad as well. While it likely seems like it is the pump the safest thing would be to have an electrician examine it. If you have to go in the pond to check out the pump make sure to unplug it first.

 

[midngn]

I had a similar thing happen just the other day. I got a new plug at Home Depot, cut the old one off the cord and re-wired it back up. Plugged it back in and the pump is not tripping the breaker. Very much worth a shot. $6 fix.

 

[clark kent]

If the GFCI breaker or outlet is tripping, that means that it has sensed that some of the current through its hot lead has a found a return path other than the neutral lead, like through defective sealing and/or insulation in something plugged into the circuit. Since the GFCI only trips with the pump plugged in, that pump is the most likely suspect.