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irishh7 · Jun 18, 2007, 08:45 AM

Hi. I posted this under "appliances", but it was probably in the wrong section. I have a new Kenmore top freezer refrigerator. I have had this for 2 weeks now. It is not working correctly as the freezer keeps having ice droplets forming on the ceiling and back of the freezer wall as well as a thin layer of frost covering just about everything. This fridge does not have an ice maker or filtered water (just a "simple" fridge by most standards). Anyway, since getting this, our main circuit breakers have tripped 3 times. I think there is a connection between the two. By the way, this fridge is the same make and size as the old one it replaced - it is also an energy star appliance. I think there may be a short in the fridge causing the circuits to trip and, also, contributing to it not working right. We have called an electrician, but any help in the mean time would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Dorothy

tkrussell · Jun 18, 2007, 01:01 PM

I think the breaker tripping is just a coincidence, but have nothing to prove it other than the frig should not be drawing that much current to trip a breaker, esp the main.

Have the electrician check all connections, both line and load of the breaker that is tripping, looking for a loose or corroded connection. This can cause heat that will trip a breaker, for no apparent reason. Also check the amp draw of the frig, just to be sure there is not some other problem with it, such as a bad compressor. Leave the door open on the frig when the electrician is checking to be sure to cause the compressor to run.

Also could be the heating element that is built in the frig for the frost free operation. Any way you can have the appliance tech and electrician there at the same time?

Get back with what is found as the cause.

irishh7 · Jun 18, 2007, 02:49 PM

Hi! Thank you for the quick response! I had an electrician here today (6/18/07) and we are going to upgrade our electric service from a 100 amp to 200 amp service, the box is pretty old (@ 24 years) and the electrician feels that this and over-loading of the circuits (which causes a warm box) are the problems.. As far as the fridge goes, it is a 4.50 amp. I am probably going to have it returned or replaced.

Thanks again,

Dorothy

tkrussell · Jun 18, 2007, 02:56 PM

The service sounds like the problem. I think the frig is fine, other than the seal and frost problems. Must be frustrating to buy a new appliance and get a lemon.

irishh7 · Jun 18, 2007, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by tkrussell

The service sounds like the problem. I think the frig is fine, other than the seal and frost problems. Must be frustrating to buy a new appliance and get a lemon.

Hi again! Yes, it is very frustrating and time consuming. A question - would the fact that we have a 100 amp box instead of a 200 amp box be contributing to the fridge not working right - maybe it isn't able to draw the power it needs? I don't think, but maybe. Any thoughts?

Thanks again,

Dorothy

tkrussell · Jun 19, 2007, 01:31 AM

No not because it is 100 amps, but if it is old, corroded, or has loose or poor connections is the cause.

Washington1 · Jun 19, 2007, 06:16 AM

I hope it was explained to you--by your electrician--that upgrading your service does not create better circuits. If you have splices in the panel--where two or three circuits where joined--then maybe this will help. But it depends on the reasoning behind the splices.
Just know that installing a new panel doesn't mean it will fix the problem.

Just wanted to add my two cents.

irishh7 · Jun 25, 2007, 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by Washington1

I hope it was explained to you--by your electrician--that upgrading your service does not create better circuits. If you have splices in the panel--where two or three circuits where joined--then maybe this will help. But it depends on the reasoning behind the splices.
Just know that installing a new panel doesn't mean it will fix the problem.

Just wanted to add my two cents.

Hi! What do you mean by this? Are you saying that if he doesn't switch some of the load off one circuit to some others that I will still have the same problems?

Thanks,

Dorothy

Washington1 · Jun 25, 2007, 05:35 PM

Just means that a circuit will remain a circuit regardless of upgrading the service.
Example: Lets say you have a circuit that currently serves 50% of the house (Not uncommon with older homes). You decide, I will upgrade my service from 60amps to 200 amps. Your decision to upgrade does not mean your new service rated panel will correct the 50% load your current circuit is serving. It will still be what it was after the upgrade.

On some occasions, you do have a circuits spliced/ or double tapped in the panel, and they may be able to separate the two--freeing up one circuit from having to handle the extra load.

Example: A customer decided to run an extra circuit to their garage so they can have an extra receptacle. They later realize that their panel is full (no room for an extra circuit), so they decide to splice the new run into an existing circuit (Note: This puts an extra load or loads on the circuit they spliced into) so they can accomplish their want. Later, they decide to upgrade their service panel--giving them more then enough room to unsplice the extra run--putting it on it's own circuit. Which in return free's up the circuit they spliced into.

Also, upgrading the service doesn't mean that a short -or whatever problem you may have on a circuit- will correct the problem on the circuit. It all depends on the problem, and this takes troubleshooting. Ex: Could be a breaker (rare with today's breakers); could be the buss bar... etc, etc...