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6jsgrandma · 07-12-2013, 05:17 PM

We are on our way to Washington. We have been having problems with satellite receiver. Other when we unplug it, GFI does not pop. Any ideas? Thank you.

Libero · 07-12-2013, 05:52 PM

The only circumstance that pops a GFCI breaker is the current on the hot lead does not match the current on the neutral leg within the trip rating of the breaker. It is the imbalance that trips that breaker.

This means the current goes eleswhere rather than the neutral wire - hence is returned by the ground wire. It only takes a few milliamps of current drain to pop the breaker.

You need to determine where that path for the current drain away from neutral is. If the only time the CGFI pops is when you unplug the satellite receiver, then I would look at the receptical and for a fault in the receiver wiring.

Is the satellite receiver turned off when you disconnect?

Did you plug into another receptical protected by that GFCI breaker?

Suggest you do further testing to isolate the problem. GFCI's can fail, but I suggest you answer the questions, noted above and go from there.

Hope I was helpful

BFlinn181 · 07-12-2013, 06:05 PM

Libero is right, the GFI only detects an imbalance between hot and neutral. I'm not sure I understand, "Other when we unplug it, GFI does not pop." If you mean it trips when the Sat receiver is plugged in, then try placing receiver on a plastic or wooden platform, isolated from the ground. Don't hook up wires to TV. see if the receiver trips GFI. Then hook up wire and see if it trips. Perhaps you have power leaking to ground in the receiver. You could also use a multimeter to test for electrical flow to ground from the receiver.

Libero · 07-12-2013, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6jsgrandma

We are on our way to Washington. We have been having problems with satellite receiver. Other when we unplug it, GFI does not pop. Any ideas? Thank you.

BFlinn181 provided sound advice but he did make me look at the OP again. And like him, I am not certain of the fault scenario/conditions other than the CGFI Pops and there is some relationship to the Sat receiver when this happens.

If you could do some additional testing as suggested and then report results. We might be able to better focus on the problem source.

Looking forward to the feedback.

Best regards

6jsgrandma · 07-13-2013, 09:27 AM

Thank you both very much. My husband agrees with you both. He thinks it is something with the receiver because the only time it pops is when plugged in to the tv or when it is turned on and receiving the satellite signal. He is going to continue to investigate this. Thank you so much. On to Oregon for 2 days, then Washington on Monday.

6jsgrandma · 07-13-2013, 09:28 AM

Will definitely keep you posted on GFCI issue. Happy travels.

wa8yxm · 07-14-2013, 06:47 AM

In a proper satellite installation the coax shield is grounded.

now in the receiver, the power leads are isolated from ground but the chassis may be bonded (Via the round pin on a plug) to ground as well.

This (the isolation) means the GFCI remains happy.

HOWEVER there are a couple of parts inside the receiver, (And yes, I even know what parts they are and where they are located but the phrase "no user serviceable parts inside" applies. (I happen to be trained as an electronics tech).

If one of them fails.. Trip goes the GFCI.

And that is just ONE way it can happen, I can think of others as well.. I know three ways to fix it.

#1 on the hit parade is call your sat service provider and request a new receiver.

#s 2 and 3 take skill and test equipment.