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Posted by RBM on October 15, 2009, 3:16 pm
>>>> I've had a GFCI outlet that powers a refrigerator and some kitchen
>>>> and basement outlets trip twice within the last year. I've reset it
>>>> after each trip and it seems to go another six months before it
>>>> trips again.
>>>> What's the best way to determine if this is just a random event or
>>>> whether the GFCI is pointing toward a potential shock hazard?
>>>> --
>>>> Bobby G.
>>> Refrigerators require their own dedicated circuit with no GFCI.
>> The Nec doesn't required dedicated circuit for a refrigerator
>>> Kitchen receptacles require their own dedicated circuit/'s as well,
>>> They need to be GFCI protected only if the receptacle is
>>> approximately five feet
>>> from a water source (sink).
>> The Nec requires ALL counter top and island receptacles to be gfci
>> protected
>>> The occasional tripping maybe to due to the fridge motor kicking on
>>> while a
>>> toaster or some other device is drawing power. Even a plug being
>>> pulled quickly from a receptacle can arc and cause a trip of the
>>> GFCI. Regardless,
>>> your circuit configuration is not acceptable under the current
>>> electrical codes.
>>> You can buy inexpensive receptacle testers that will test a GFCI and
>>> other receptacles for proper grounding. As long as the receptacle is
>>> properly grounded, short circuits will go to ground and shock hazard
>>> will be minimal.
>>> Diagnosing electrical problems without looking at them is difficult
>>> as one cannot determine the quality of the workmanship that went into
>>> the initial wiring of the circuits.
>>> Good Luck
> I'm replying from Canada, our CEC (Canadian Electrical Code) differs in
> those respects from the NEC I'm Guessing.
> The CEC States - "each receptacle installed for a refrigerator shall be
> supplied by a branch circuit that does not supply any other outlets....."
> We only GFCI receptacles 1.5m or 4.921ft in any direction from sinks as
> of yet.
> We also require a deicated circuit for the microwave.
Don't know where the op is from, or where you're from, so I'm just
specifying U.S. code
>
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> basement outlets trip twice within the last year. I've reset it after
> each trip and it seems to go another six months before it trips again.
>
> What's the best way to determine if this is just a random event or
> whether the GFCI is pointing toward a potential shock hazard?
>
> --
> Bobby G.
>
>
>