TripTrace: The GFI Diagnostic & Install Cost Engine
GFCI outlets trip, fail, or need replacing for one of six specific reasons. TripTrace scores your exact symptoms against real fault categories, flags anything genuinely dangerous, and estimates what a fix should cost — before you call anyone.
Check every symptom that applies to the outlet giving you trouble. TripTrace scores your answers across six real fault categories used in the field.
Get a realistic 2026 installed-cost range built from published labor-rate benchmarks — not a single falsely precise number.
Why TripTrace exists
Most GFCI troubleshooting content makes you read through every possible cause in order. TripTrace instead asks about your specific symptoms up front and scores them against six fault categories electricians actually use to triage a GFI complaint in the field: moisture/ground fault, appliance leakage, an aging device, a wiring fault, circuit overload, and high-frequency nuisance tripping from modern HVAC/pool equipment. Any genuinely dangerous symptom — sparking, warmth, a burning smell, or a combined breaker trip — overrides the score entirely and tells you to call a licensed electrician now.
This is information, not a substitute for a licensed electrician. See our Disclaimer for the full scope of what TripTrace can and can't tell you.
50 Surprising GFI & Electrical Outlet Facts
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TripTrace & GFI FAQ
Is TripTrace really free?
Yes. Both the GFI diagnostic and the installed-cost estimator are 100% free, with no login and no email required to see your result.
Does TripTrace replace a licensed electrician?
No. TripTrace is an informational triage and cost-estimating tool. It's built to help you understand your situation and talk to an electrician more efficiently — not to replace inspection, diagnosis, or licensed electrical work.
What is a GFCI outlet?
A GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlet continuously compares the current flowing out on the hot wire to the current returning on the neutral wire, and cuts power in about 1/40th of a second if it detects a small imbalance — a sign current may be leaking through water, a damaged appliance, or a person.
Why does my GFCI keep tripping?
Repeated tripping is usually caused by one of six things: moisture, a faulty plugged-in appliance, an aging device, a wiring fault, a genuinely overloaded circuit, or high-frequency leakage current from modern HVAC/pool equipment. TripTrace's diagnostic step scores your specific symptoms against all six.
How much does it cost to install a GFCI outlet in 2026?
Typically $150-$600 installed by a licensed electrician depending on region and scope, or about $15-30 in parts if you're doing a simple, already-grounded swap yourself. Use the calculator above for a range tailored to your situation.