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Posted by on July 11, 2007, 7:19 pm
>
>> I am pretty sure the GFCI plugs instructions say not to use them on
>> refrigerators.
>
>Most don't.
>
>A fridge should NOT trip a GFCI.
>
>If it does it's for the same reason anything else would: there is a leakage
>path between the current carrying wires (including neutral) and "ground."
>
>I had an old "frostless" fridge that tripped a GFCI. Turns out that
>during defrost and water from the melting ice got onto the wires leading to
>the quartz bulb that served as the defrost heater.
>
>If you have an ungrounded outlet, it's not a bad idea to protect yourself
>with the GFCI. But you also should uncover what's causing the trip because
>whatever is causing the trip can, with an ungrounded appliance, give you an
>electric shock.
>
>Note that appliance like toasters and toaster overs would likely trip a GFCI
>often. I surprised folks don't get shocked with them more often. Perhaps
>they get "warning" shocks. It takes at least 10 times the current that
>trips a GFCI to be a true safely hazard.
>
>Each one has to decide on his own whether to put certain appliances on a
>GFCI. Something in a kitchen that you check several times a day? Yep!
>
>If I had a freezer in the garage I would say, NO.
>
>>
>
It is highly advised NOT to use a GFCI for refrigerators. This is no secret.
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