The Hidden GFCI That Silenced a Kitchen

# The Hidden GFCI That Silenced a Kitchen

When both a refrigerator and a dishwasher lose power, most people fear a major electrical issue. This Orlando call reminded us how one small device can bring a kitchen to a standstill.

## The Orlando Call

A condo owner reported that her refrigerator display was dark and the dishwasher wouldn’t power on. Breakers at the main panel looked fine.

## First Checks

We verified the outlet behind the fridge: no power. The adjacent countertop outlets worked. The dishwasher hardwire connection was fine but still dead. No breakers were tripped in the main panel.

## The Trace

We mapped the circuit and suspected a hidden GFCI upstream. Kitchens often daisy-chain appliances through a single GFCI-protected path. We checked every outlet and finally found a GFCI behind a small appliance caddy inside a pantry — tripped and unnoticed.

## GFCI Reset Fix

We reset the GFCI and power returned instantly to both appliances. We then tested for nuisance trips and insulation resistance; no faults were found.

## Why It Happened

Small moisture events or brief surges can trip a sensitive GFCI. In this case, a recent deep clean likely splashed into a nearby outlet box.

## Homeowner Takeaways

- Check **all** GFCIs in kitchens, pantries, garages, and exterior walls when an appliance loses power.
- Label your GFCIs and keep them visible.
- Avoid plugging refrigerators into GFCI circuits where code allows a dedicated non-GFCI circuit.

## Kitchen Power Resolution

We relocated the fridge to a dedicated circuit and labeled the remaining GFCI. No further trips were reported.