Overly sensitive GFCI??

[JHZR2]

Sometime back, maybe a year, maybe two, I replaced an existing GFCI with a new one. The old one was the wrong color and the face had a crack. It worked fine though.

The GFCI is directly fed from a panel, and on the load side of it is a conductor that is switched for our bathroom vent fan.


Shortly after replacing, we started seeing that the GFCI would occasionally trip only when we switched the fan off. Slowly it has been getting worse and worse, as in more often.

We decided we wanted the bath fan to have s light, so we ought and installed a Panasonic unit (amazingly silent), and ran a new switch loop so we could control the light and fan separate. So we have existing wiring -> GFCI outlet -> fan power on load side of GFCI -> junction box -> new fan -> new 14/3 switch loops -> common dual type switch.

So the only remaining item is the wire from the GFCI to the fan junction box. A good multimeter indicates no issues with or between the wires.

So my only guess is that these new gfcis are overly sensitive. But any ideas if that's common?? Anything else??

Thanks!!

 

[mattwithcats]

Switch the fan from the GFCI load side to the supply side.

In other words, take the GFCI out of the circuit.
When the GFCI trips, the fan should stay running.

There should be extra holes next to where the supply wires feed into the GFCI.

 

[Andrew1972]

My GFI trips very easily with Apple 1watt chargers. It got better with the iPad larger one and another brand.

Sensitive yes and this is the 2nd one in with different brand.

 

[Garak]

Okay, then I'm not insane. At one of my businesses, the GFCI where people plug in their Apple garbage is often tripped when I go to use it.

 

[gofastman]

It only takes a few microamps worth of ground fault to trip one of those

 

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted By: mattwithcats
Switch the fan from the GFCI load side to the supply side.

In other words, take the GFCI out of the circuit.
When the GFCI trips, the fan should stay running.

There should be extra holes next to where the supply wires feed into the GFCI.



+1 for the above comment! There is no reason to put the bathroom vent fan on a GFCI.

 

[InfmousCornholio]

What the [censored] is a GFCI?

 

[hattaresguy]

I see a large number fail, Leviton brand are junk.

Its not uncommon for me to have to replace one or two GFCI's within a year on a new construction.

 

[hattaresguy]

Originally Posted By: InfmousCornholio
What the [censored] is a GFCI?


https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/GFCI

A new style of GFI that code requires and they suck quite frankly, they exist so if you want to kill yourself with a toaster in the bath tub you can't. Many other normal things also pop them including hair dryers and curling irons, along with a number of power tools.

When I build my new house after the CO my electricians are coming back and putting in the old style.

 

[InfmousCornholio]

Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Originally Posted By: InfmousCornholio
What the [censored] is a GFCI?


https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/GFCI

A new style of GFI that code requires and they suck quite frankly, they exist so if you want to kill yourself with a toaster in the bath tub you can't. Many other normal things also pop them including hair dryers and curling irons, along with a number of power tools.

When I build my new house after the CO my electricians are coming back and putting in the old style.


Oh. That.

I have that exact pictured one in my bathroom.

My hair shears set it off when I turn it off.

 

[Rand]

other things that are a PITA, AFCI/CAFCI breakers

I had one tripping from using powerline networking.

Problem was it started a few days AFTER I installed the powerline networking so I didnt understand how a 5w device would pop a 15amp breaker... Had never heard of AFCI breakers.

 

[Quest]

Now now, folks! Don't fault the GFIC for doing it's job.

Just because GFIC is "trippy" doesn't mean that it's a fault on it's own.

GFIC works by detecting "anomalies" by detecting the current differential: i.e. if the toaster is taking in 10Amps, and the return path is sucking 10.01Amps, it should cut off the power by means of that additional "anomaly" in current detection.

GFIC is designed to protect users from shocks/electrocution due to unregistered current leaks. One may extent this to the coverage of poorly-designed electronic devices, partially failed electronic devices, etc.

If replacing GFIC with different brands and still acts "trippy", then the fault is usually lies somewhere along the line. It could be an end-device problem (most commonly), and perhaps more (hidden junction box intermittent shorts, electrical wiring inside the wall studs/joists may have been pierced/chewed by critters, etc. and suffering from intermittent current leaks, etc.


I have dealt with quite a bit of GFIC or even AFIC issues during the past 10 yrs of home DYI repairs, and frankly speaking, other than AFIC (if trippy, replace with fresh new units); GFIC being trippy is normally attributed to the device downstream.

Q.

 

[Quest]

Originally Posted By: Rand
other things that are a PITA, AFCI/CAFCI breakers

I had one tripping from using powerline networking.

Problem was it started a few days AFTER I installed the powerline networking so I didnt understand how a 5w device would pop a 15amp breaker... Had never heard of AFCI breakers.


My experiences with AFIC is that if it suddenly acts trippy for no apparent reasons and given that the unit has been several years old, try a new one.

If a new one doesn't fix the problem, it's somewhere down to the house wiring part.

Beware.

Q.

 

[Vikas]

Quote:
There is no reason to put the bathroom vent fan on a GFCI.
Shouldn't it be on the GFCI or it does not matter because it is way up in the ceiling and no chance of anybody accidentally touching it?

 

[JHZR2]

I like it in GFCI because the switch may encounter wet hands. The switch is grounded, so there is a return path. How that much liquid would get in there is a different story, but it's a bathroom - a moist environment.

I'm going to replace the outlet, because I know the status of the wire since I pulled a new one for two switches, and the other run from the GFCI is very short and I checked it with my fluke meter.

I suppose when a fan spins down, it turns into a generator of sorts, no? Does the motor create some slight potential??

 

[dishdude]

You know how when a little electric motor starts you sometimes get that spark from the winding? I think that leakage trips it. The wall switch can do it too, the slower you flip it the more likely it is to arc and trip it.

How old is the switch?

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
You know how when a little electric motor starts you sometimes get that spark from the winding? I think that leakage trips it. The wall switch can do it too, the slower you flip it the more likely it is to arc and trip it.

How old is the switch?


That's the thing... The switch, as well as the wiring I the switch loop is all new. New fan, new switch, new wiring. Thus I can only guess that it is the GFCI outlet.

 

[JHZR2]

Apparently this is an observed phenomena a and many attribute it to inductive kickback... Lower quality, low-price point GFCI circuit boards can be a victim.

I've had at least one other leviton GFCI from HD fail with minimal use and they're called out on the web. Oh well. Next project. No big deal -easy swap out.