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GFI Tripping Under Small Load

Asked Jul 8, 2007, 06:08 PM — 10 Answers
Hi All,

I have a GFI that keeps tripping under a light load (Treadmill running).

It is a 20A circuit.

The wiring was done by me. This is the only room that is giving me fits!

All grounds are connected securely.

Any ideas out there?

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10 Answers
Stratmando's Avatar
Stratmando Posts: 10,435, Reputation: 2520
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#2

Jul 8, 2007, 06:57 PM
Could be the treadmill, replacing will determine faulty gfi. If new gfi does same thing, follow wiring through treadmill and determine ground connection with hot.
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tkrussell's Avatar
tkrussell Posts: 9,673, Reputation: 3698
Senior Electrical & Lighting Expert
  
#3

Jul 9, 2007, 02:42 AM


Most of the treadmills I know draw quite a bit of current, and need their own 20 amp circuit. If there is anything else running on the circuit, it may overload the breaker and trip.

The treadmill belt may be adjusted to tight causing the motor to draw more current that normal.

There could be a ground fault in the treadmill that is tripping the GFI.

Or the breaker may be defective.
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mwagg's Avatar
mwagg Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
New Member
  
#4

Jul 9, 2007, 08:10 AM
Thanks for the responses.

What I can't figure out is that if the treadmill is plugged into a different GFI protected circuit, it doesn't pop the GFI.

Anyway,

Thanks again for the input.
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tkrussell's Avatar
tkrussell Posts: 9,673, Reputation: 3698
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#5

Jul 9, 2007, 08:47 AM


Seems to narrow it down to a defective GFI breaker.
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mwagg's Avatar
mwagg Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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#6

Jul 9, 2007, 02:02 PM
One would think so. So that's exactly what I did... Replace the GFI... Same result.

I think I will try plugging something different in and see what the result is.

Thanks again TK
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tkrussell's Avatar
tkrussell Posts: 9,673, Reputation: 3698
Senior Electrical & Lighting Expert
  
#7

Jul 9, 2007, 02:14 PM


Weird, the unit works fine in another GFI protected outlet, and still trip in the original outlet with a new GFI breaker. Perhaps there is something damaged inside the outlet you want to use that only shows up when something is plugged into it.

Before you replace the outlet, check to be sure the bare wire inside the outlet box is not touching the neutral, sometimes that causes nuisance tripping when the outlet is used.
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mwagg's Avatar
mwagg Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
New Member
  
#8

Jul 9, 2007, 02:19 PM
Plugged my guitar amp in and nothing happened. This would indicate a problem with the treadmill, but... It doesn't pop any other GFIs.

I am truly stumped.
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tkrussell's Avatar
tkrussell Posts: 9,673, Reputation: 3698
Senior Electrical & Lighting Expert
  
#9

Jul 9, 2007, 02:35 PM
Try changing the outlet anyways. An amp is very low power draw.
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mwagg's Avatar
mwagg Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
New Member
  
#10

Jul 9, 2007, 04:34 PM
Will do.

Thanks
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