[OhSuzzzana]

I have a new const. exercise room that has 3 - 15 amp. Circuits that are AFCI. 2 of the circuits are for plugs and 1 for lights. When I turn on my new treadmill in any of the plugs in one of the circuits it trips the breaker for the light circuit but not the plugs. When I turn it on in the other circuit of plugs it trips the breaker for the plugs in that circuit but not the lights. This happens immediately on either circuit. The treadmill is new and 15 amps. The treadmill works fine when plugged into a non AFCI circuit (in the family room). The electrician that did the work did find a bare wire in one of the plugs and fixed it. He also found that the treadmill works in some of the plugs (the ones closer to the electrical box) on the plug circuit that trips the lights. He thinks that there is a problem in the wiring between that plug and the next plug where the circuit gets tripped. He said that even the staples used to hold the wires carry electricity and can trip the AFCI. The contractor has been told that there are problems with AFCI breakers and treadmills and elliptical machines that have a slow start. The treadmill specifically says not to use GFI plugs. I understand that the AFCI breakers include GFI technology. Is it dangerous to my treadmill motor to use the AFCI breakers? Now the Contractor and Electrician are saying that they are bringing a Surge Trap over and that will solve the problem. I contend that there is a problem in the wall that could be dangerous and a Surge Trap, if it works, just circumvents the original problem which might be dangerous, plus might ruin the treadmill too. Another solution was to end the circuit at the last plug that works without throwing the breaker. Then run another circuit to the other plugs that would no longer work. I think I'd like to see that circuit plus a dedicated 20 amp. Circuit for the treadmill. What do you think. Thanks so much! :o

[Missouri Bound]

AFCi's are designed to recognize arcing in a circuit. Electric motors and also electric heaters may create a bit of an arc during normal operation. I think that nuicance tripping of the breaker may be harmful to your treadmill, especially with the solid state technology in the motor controls. I would call the manufacturer and see if this is a problem they have encountered before. A dedicated circuit for the treadmill certainly is a good idea, with the surge supressor. If your home has conduit, then the wiring changes you list can be done fairly easily. I recently purchased a treadmill myself, and it is on a general circuit with lighting and some other devices and it has worked well and has not created any problems with my circuitry. I haven't heard the term "surge trap" before. Is it something that they plan on connecting to the main panel? One other thought... if the neutral connected to the AFCI is shared with another circuit, this may affect it's operation. Please keep me (us) posted.