What is a common symptom of a faulty GFCI?

A common symptom of a faulty Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) is that it trips frequently, indicating a fault. GFCIs are designed to protect against electrical shock by monitoring the current flowing in the circuit. When they detect an imbalance, such as when current is leaking to ground (which may happen due to a fault in the wiring or a faulty device), they trip to disconnect power.

Frequent tripping of a GFCI can suggest that there is a persistent ground fault or moisture issue affecting the circuit; this is particularly significant in marine environments where water exposure is more common. If a GFCI trips often, it is a warning that something is wrong in the system, prompting the need for further investigation.

Other symptoms, like a loose connection, constant power, or unusual sounds, could indicate installation issues or other types of equipment malfunctions, but these are not definitive symptoms of a GFCI's internal failure or its core function of detecting ground faults.