QualifiedHigh risk

Outdoor power point not working

An outdoor GPO is dead — often after rain — pointing at a tripped safety switch from moisture, a weatherproofing failure, or the outlet/run.

Start fault-finding

Safety first

Water and outdoor electricity are a shock risk. Isolate, prove dead, and never bypass the safety switch. Outdoor equipment must be weatherproof and suitable for the location.

Isolate, lock out / tag out, and prove dead before working unless a live test is specifically required, authorised, and carried out under proper supervision. Always follow local regulations, your site procedures, and the equipment manufacturer's documentation.

Full detail — causes, the why, and common mistakes.

Likely causes

Ranked from most to least likely.

1
Safety switch tripped from moisture ingress
Most likely
Water in the outlet or its run has tripped the safety switch (common after rain).
2
Failed weatherproofing / water in the outlet
#2
A perished seal or cracked cover lets water in, causing leakage/corrosion.
3
Outlet or run faulty
#3
The GPO or the cabling to it has a fault (corrosion, damage).
4
Switched off / supply lost upstream
Least likely
An indoor switch/circuit feeding it is off or tripped.

Reports are saved on this device to reflect what you actually find.

Testing sequence

Work through one test at a time. Expected reading and what each result means.

Test 1 of 2

Check whether the safety switch has tripped and whether the outlet is wet / weatherproofing has failed.

Expected reading

Safety switch on; outlet dry and sealed.

Your actual reading

If it passes

Dry and not tripped — trace supply/the outlet.

If it fails

Tripped from moisture / failed seal — dry out, reseal, and rectify.

Often leads toSafety switch (RCD) keeps tripping at the switchboard RCD trips only in wet weather or after wash-down

View all expected readings at once

1. Check whether the safety switch has tripped and whether the outlet is wet / weatherproofing has failed.

Safety switch on; outlet dry and sealed.

2. Isolate, prove dead, and inspect the outlet and run for water damage/corrosion; confirm supply reaches it.

Sound, dry outlet and supply present.

Fault-finding flowchart

The same logic as a decision tree.

1
start
Outdoor GPO dead
→ step 2
2
decision
Is the outlet dry/sealed and the safety switch not tripped?
Yes→ step 3No→ step 4
3
decision
Is the outlet/run sound and supply present?
Yes→ step 5No→ step 6
4
result
Tripped from moisture / failed seal — dry, reseal, rectify.
5
result
Dry outlet but dead with supply — replace the outlet.
6
result
Water-damaged outlet/run or no supply — rectify.

Common mistakes apprentices make

Bypassing the safety switch to restore outdoor power.
Not addressing the weatherproofing that let water in.
Reusing a corroded/water-damaged outlet.
Overlooking an indoor switch/circuit feeding it.

When to stop & escalate

Outdoor electrical work is licensed and must use weatherproof, location-suitable equipment. Never run outdoor circuits on defeated earth-leakage protection.

If you're past your competence, authorisation, or the safe limits of the job — stop and hand it on. There's no fault worth getting hurt over.

Related faults

Switchboards & safety switches

Safety switch (RCD) keeps tripping at the switchboard

The safety switch trips repeatedly — instantly on reset, randomly, or when certain appliances run. It's detecting earth leakage somewhere; the job is to find where.

5 causes3 test steps

QualifiedHigh risk

RCD / RCBO faults

RCD trips only in wet weather or after wash-down

The RCD holds fine when dry but trips after rain, washdown, or in damp conditions — pointing to moisture creating an earth-leakage path somewhere outdoors or in wet areas.

4 causes3 test steps

QualifiedHigh risk

Outdoor & garden