Community Forums

fxdave · 07-25-2012, 05:42 PM

GFI keeps going off ? sometimes it will reset immediately other times not ? wet or dry doesnt seem to matter ? any thoughts ?

Grumpyyyy · 07-25-2012, 05:54 PM

Most are rated for 15 amps ... What are you trying to run off it and what else is in the the same circuit ?

wb7auk · 07-25-2012, 05:59 PM

GFI's do not look at current(amps) they look at grounds.

fredaevans · 07-25-2012, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wb7auk

GFI's do not look at current(amps) they look at grounds.

Yes, if you have one kicking out two possibilities: Unit needs to be replaced, or you have a 'problem' in its "cur cut." Start with the replacement (yes, they do go bad) and then on to the second ... and unless you're damned good at this sort of thing, you'll pay up for a good repair person.

Just personal 'opine,' but when it comes to 'electrics,' unless you really know what your doing, don't fool around.

fae

PEJ · 07-25-2012, 06:57 PM

Is the same appliance plugged in when it trips? Is so, it is likely the culprit. I once had an older electric heater that always tripped my gfi. I noticed quite an arc as the thermostat activated heat. I think some current strayed to the metal frame causing a current to ground... Tripped every time.

Just a possibility.

Peter

wa8yxm · 07-26-2012, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wb7auk

GFI's do not look at current(amps) they look at grounds.

They also do not reset automatically. His problem is either

1: Defective GFCI or (more likely) 2: Elsewhere (as in bad connection)

paz · 07-26-2012, 02:23 PM

GFCI units trip for 2 reasons -
1) there is a ground fault. If an appliance is working properly, all electricity that the appliance uses will flow from hot to neutral. A GFCI monitors the amount of current flowing from hot to neutral. If there is any imbalance, it trips the circuit.
2) the unit is defective

You can swap out a suspected bad GFCI with a new or known good unit to eliminate reason 2. If it still trips, you will have to track down the fault.

pagosajoe · 07-26-2012, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paz

GFCI units trip for 2 reasons -
1) there is a ground fault. If an appliance is working properly, all electricity that the appliance uses will flow from hot to neutral. A GFCI monitors the amount of current flowing from hot to neutral. If there is any imbalance, it trips the circuit.
2) the unit is defective

You can swap out a suspected bad GFCI with a new or known good unit to eliminate reason 2. If it still trips, you will have to track down the fault.

Paul R. Haller · 07-26-2012, 02:47 PM

Most GFCI duplex outlets also protect against ground faults elsewhere in the coach like in a bathroom and an outdoor outlet. You can remove the GFCI and in the back of it there are 2 sets of terminals. One on top labeld line and another set near the bottom called load. The line is from the breaker or the feed, the other set of wires on load is the outlets downstream of the GFCI it is actively protecting. Often, if one outlet is outside, it can get water in the outlet and create a ground fault. Turn off the breaker that feeds the GFCI and remove the 2 lower terminal from the wires and try to reset again after you have turned back on the power. If it resets, the fault is in the one of the protected outlets downstream of the affected GFCI. Another point that is often overlooked is the that the duplex outlets supplied by the builder are of Chinese manufacture and are of very poor quality. Go to Home depot or any hardware store and replace these cheap Chinese made outlets (CRAP) with an underwriter labs approved duplex outlet. It may well solve your problems.
If a GFCI is tripped often, they get weak and need to be replaced. Either way check your outside outlets.
-Paul R. Haller-

Mike Canter · 07-27-2012, 12:08 PM

I agree on the outside outlets. They are a real common cause of GFI breakers tripping from moisture. Open the covers on the outside outlets and either blow air into them or wedge them open to let them dry out.

fxdave · 09-11-2013, 09:30 PM

Finally got her nailed down Water was getting on a outlet when filling the water tank then would dry out be ok well after changing the gfi i knew we had a problem and now we have found it ! what cheap lugs we have ill be re wiring 3 different receptacles now

happy to had finally figured it out

Jdaniel2509 · 09-11-2013, 09:36 PM

My gfi trips from time to time and goes to my outside freezer/refrigerator. I'm thinking of replacing then gfi breaker first.

fxdave · 09-12-2013, 07:28 AM

i found that the Receptacles are really CHEAP the wire is just pinched in my Refrig one is working but looks really bad so im replacing 3 of mine with a good box and a new Receptacle relived that i finally have figured it out also

wa8yxm · 09-12-2013, 11:48 AM

A GFCI is like a teeter Totter.. If both kids on the totter are EXACTLY the same weight it's balanced

If both curents (White wire and black wire) are exactly the same it's perfectly balanced (See how it's the same)

If wire (normally black) is hauling more current then the board tilts well, CLICK and darkness ensues (It does the CI part of it's GFCI name Circuitus interupptus if you like fake latin)

Some common causes of frequent tripping. (And hints on tracking)

Something plugged in has a fault. (UNPLUG EVERYTHING that is plugged into GFCI protected sockets)

NOTE: a GFCI can protect several regular "Downlline" sockets.

One of those "regular" outlets is the patio.. Sometimes the seal leaks and that area fills with water

Sometimes if you have a GFCI protected outlet in a slide out (I DO) the junction boxes under the slide fill with water (I have read about it, has not happened to me...yet).

Sometimes the wires chafe and short to ground (The white wire may be "neutral" and may be bonded to ground at the park's end. but if it shorts to ground click goes the GFCI)

And finally.. They wear out