Snake oil!!

[Diesel Dan]

that is impossible. the WH is not on the load side of the GFCI. The GFCI does not care what is going on on the line side....

pure coincidence...

My line of work is industrial maintenance, mechanical side.
Once is an anomaly, twice is a coincidence, three times is a pattern.

Over the last 7 yrs this has happened way more than 3 times. Walk into the bathroom, turn on hot water, heater turns on and GFCI trips. ONLY times I have ever had that GFCI outlet trip. That heater is 13kw. Again, isn't common but happened enough to show a pattern. Have never walked into that bathroom and found the GFCI tripped or had it trip while using the outlet. Have used that outlet for loads ranging from the nightlight, space heater, power tools, shop vac, rotary hammer etc.

Our master bath is fed with a 28kw OD heater. When it's on low flow, not needing all 3 heating elements at 100% duty cycle, the LED bath lights will flicker. Incandescent bulbs aren't as sensitive and don't show the flicker but no GFCIs will trip there.
The shop and living quarters are on their own 200a sub panels.
So, if not from that heater, what then? Since it's in the bathroom I plan on keeping it GFCI.

Regarding the AFCI and PC.
Something with the load from the graphics processor is causing it, IMO. And yes it could be the power supply too but until the GP starts requesting higher, sustained power requirements the breaker holds. The PC can be left paused in game mode for 8 hrs and no issue. After couple hours of graphic intensive use is when it'll trip the AFCI. Moved it to another outlet and it did the same to a different AFCI breaker. So yes, the circuit the PC is going to be dedicated for will be getting a non-AFCI breaker.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

If you think a load, that is not on the load side of the GFCI, can trip the GFCI, then you dont understand how GFCIs work.

 

[LukeOresk]

My house was done by an industrial electrician.

I've since rewired everything.

That’s because they are an idiot not because they are an idustrial electrician. I’ve seen construction and industrial electricians both be very bad and very good electricians… just had to say that because you hurt my last feeling

 

[NostraThpmas]

Regarding the AFCI and PC.
Something with the load from the graphics processor is causing it, IMO. And yes it could be the power supply too but until the GP starts requesting higher, sustained power requirements the breaker holds. The PC can be left paused in game mode for 8 hrs and no issue. After couple hours of graphic intensive use is when it'll trip the AFCI. Moved it to another outlet and it did the same to a different AFCI breaker. So yes, the circuit the PC is going to be dedicated for will be getting a non-AFCI breaker.

Gaming PCs can put RF noise on a circuit. Certain graphics cards and power supplies are known for this. This kind of RF noise is exactly what the AFCI is looking for. It can sometimes be fixed by installing a power filter between the PC and the plug. YMMV. Powerline networking can cause the same problem. PL devices intentionally put RF on the circuit in order to communicate. Some smart home devices also communicate the same way.

 

[dscheidt]

Gaming PCs can put RF noise on a circuit. Certain graphics cards and power supplies are known for this. This kind of RF noise is exactly what the AFCI is looking for. It can sometimes be fixed by installing a power filter between the PC and the plug. YMMV. Powerline networking can cause the same problem. PL devices intentionally put RF on the circuit in order to communicate. Some smart home devices also communicate the same way.

if your pc is emiting enough interference to trip an AFCI, it's not in compliance with FCC part 15 rules, and should be fixed.

 

[PCustoms]

if your pc is emiting enough interference to trip an AFCI, it's not in compliance with FCC part 15 rules, and should be fixed.

Isn't that rule essentially this device cannot emit any harmful interference, but must accept any interference?

 

[dscheidt]

Isn't that rule essentially this device cannot emit any harmful interference, but must accept any interference?

If they're tripping an AFCI because they're emitting RF, they have failed the the 'do not interfere' part of the rule. No surprise the stuff exists, there's essentially zero enforcement, except if you knock over a police or fire transmitter.

 

[NostraThpmas]

I wasn't saying that they emit radio waves. I said they put noise on the electrical circuit they are connected to. Many things do. Welders, Motors, etc. Just connect it to an oscilloscope and see how chewed up the waveform is. Noise in the MHz range is exactly what the AFCI is looking for.

 

[Diesel Dan]

Just connect it to an oscilloscope and see how chewed up the waveform is.

Unfortunately, my Snap-on Verus died and don't think I'm buying another.
Not enough ROI at this point.