Why is gfci tripping

The NEC commentary explains that they expanded GFCI requirements to include higher voltages and current ratings because equipment connected to those receptacles present the same shock hazards as those of lower voltages and current ratings.

Sometimes tripping occurs when a GFCI circuit breaker is protecting multiple downstream receptacles. To ensure proper operation, minimize the number of appliances protected by the GFCI.

Depending on the circuit length from the GFCI sensing device, it may be necessary to limit the number of appliances being protected to one or two.

Capacitive leakages due to the wire length of the circuitry may exceed the threshold of the GFCI. The actual length limitations vary depending on wire type and size.

Have the installation checked to see if the GFCI receptacle and related circuitry are installed correctly. Verify the neutral is dedicated and connected to the correct circuit, etc. While testing of GFCI devices is not generally included in the basic scope of commissioning services, having a trusted third-party electrician or commissioning agent provide independent verification of proper installation may be necessary.

If nuisance tripping is occurring in areas near dishwashing, mop sink, janitorial, ice machines, showers, walk-in coolers, exterior locations, roofs, and other areas with a lot of condensation, then too much moisture may be the cause.

Check to see if there are any environmental or operational changes that can be made to reduce moisture near the appliance and receptacle. Installing a weatherproof cover plate at the receptacle may be helpful. Circuit overload occurs when we plug more appliances into a circuit than it can carry. Normally, a GFCL outlet handles between 15 and 20 amps. When you plug-in devices that draw more current than required, the circuit breaker trips to avoid overheating.

Many things can cause circuit overload including defective appliances, rusted wires, permanently installed electric motors, and others. Since water is an excellent conductor of electricity, it can cause your outlet to trip off. If your receptacle is wet, the current can flow through it to the ground or any conductor around.

If your GFCI outlet continues to trip, there may be an electrical fault resulting from poor wiring. However, there are a few instances in which a GFCI will keep tripping regardless of what is plugged into it. If you GFCI keeps tripping, that means there is an underlying problem that needs to be addressed immediately. A GFCI that is continually tripping is not working properly and exposes you and your home to the risk of electrical shock or fire from an overloaded circuit. A GFCI outlet is designed to trip about one tenth of a second after it detects even a tiny amount of leaking current.

Because the circuit that is being protected by the GFCI can span multiple rooms and have multiple appliances running on the same circuit, it can be difficult to determine the cause of a tripped GFCI, especially when nothing is plugged into it or it seems to trip at random times. The next section will explain each of these causes in more detail and show you how to fix the problem. Until the ground fault is fixed, the GFCI will continue to trip.

Plug in one appliance at a time until the GFCI trips. You can double check this by unplugging all the appliances that were on before the GFCI tripped, except for the last one you plugged in. If the problem GFCI is an outdoor receptacle or an indoor outlet that was exposed to water in some way, moisture inside the receptacle box could be causing the GFCI to trip.

A wet GFCI will trip regardless of what is plugged into it and may continue to trip even if there is no visible moisture inside the box. Trapped moisture inside the box will cause the GFCI to trip until it dries up.

Reset the GFCI outlet. You may have to wait several hours for the moisture inside the receptacle to dry. Removing the outside plug covers and using a hair dryer set on low to blow warm air into the box can help speed up this process.

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