Electronics > Beginners
SOLVED(4 separate problems!) Help with tripping GFCI and washing machine
MyEEVBlogAccount:
No, nothing plugged in downstream, at least permanently. We did use an iron and the contractor probably used other high-powered tools downstream. One thing I didn't mention is that the inspector said that many "residential-grade" GFCIs are not really made for longer duration loads, so replacing the GFCI for that reason, plus the change in sensitivity he talked about, should fix the problem, according to him. Well, at least when coupled with the other issues he found. I've not replaced it yet, and even with what we've done, there are no trips so far.
Electro Detective:
If the suspect GFCI gets tested properly and ok, but regarded as 'too sensitive' for that application, it can serve elsewhere where it can trip fast and save something or someone
A GFCI isn't necessarily faulty just because it nuisance trips in a situation of assorted issues as OP has described.
A decent RCD/GFCI tester is an invaluable piece of kit in todays electrical world,
to alert user or installer to track down the causes of nuisance tripping, especially if the GFCI/RCD is not at fault.
FWIW: if the wiring and terminals are loose and crusty from the power points to the main board,
and coupled to suspect appliances,
don't expect GFCI/RCDs to work their magic,
they'll just freak out and trip on any A-N-E imbalance
and it doesn't hurt to get new ones every 10 years or so, especially if they are in an external enclosures subject to dust, moisture, condensation, summer heat etc
and good insurance since just about NO ONE pushes that TEST button 'once a month' as recommended... :-[
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