How do I clear a ground fault trouble on the Kidde FX-5 when the Ground Fault LED stays lit?
To clear a ground fault on the FX-5, you must identify the specific field circuit with a short to earth ground by disconnecting them one at a time. The panel may take 30 to 40 seconds to respond to changes in ground fault status (Page 158) [1].
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Identify the Circuit: Disconnect field wiring for IDCs, NACs, and AUX power one at a time from the panel terminals. When the Ground Fault LED turns off, the last circuit removed is the source of the fault (Page 13, 62) [1].
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Isolate the Segment: Reconnect the faulty circuit and use the "50% technique" by opening the circuit at the approximate midpoint of the run. If the ground fault remains on the panel, the fault is between the panel and the break; if it clears, the fault is further down the line (Page 158) [1].
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Inspect Wiring: Check the identified segment for pinched wires in backboxes, moisture in conduits, or conductors touching the chassis (Page 2) [1].
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Verify Voltage: Using a multimeter, check the DC voltage between earth ground and system common; a normal reading is typically 6.6 VDC (Page 234) [1].
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Test: Once the fault is cleared, perform a ground fault test by momentarily shorting one leg of the circuit to the chassis to ensure the system still detects new faults (Page 62) [1].