GFI, can it get weak?

[JimVonBaden]

The GFI in my garage seems to have gotten weak, or I am drawing more power than I used to. If I plug in my 1500 watt oil heater it will pop the circuit breaker. I run lots of other high draw items, like a 110V MIG welder, plus a fan and never an issue. Same with my other power tools and at the same times as my infrared heater, but with nothing else on the oil heater pope the GFI. It is possible the heater is going bad as it is old.

What do you think?

 

[1/2 Cup]

Jim, its quite possible that the oil heater element is failing.

GFIs do go out of calibration over a period of time. It pays to have them tested every year or so.

Regards

 

[American Locomotive]

Are you talking about a GFCI circuit breaker, or a GFCI outlet?

 

[KenC]

If it's only that one thing that pops it, it probably has a leak to ground. Bad insulation intermally, cracked element etc.
As you probably know, a GFCI does not trip due to current draw, only an imbalance of current on the 'hot' wire and neutral.

 

[Bert_]

If it's only that one thing that pops it, it probably has a leak to ground. Bad insulation intermally, cracked element etc.
As you probably know, a GFCI does not trip due to current draw, only an imbalance of current on the 'hot' wire and neutral.

Glad you pointed this out. So many people think that a gfci will trip if you draw over 15, or 20, amps. It doesn't you could draw 50a through one and the GFCI won't trip. Hopefully the breaker in the panel would though.

A GFCI measures current going out, and current coming back. If there is a difference of more than 5 mA it will trip.

GFCI's do seem to get "weak" sometimes. But if you plug the heater into another GFCI and it still trips then the problem is definitely the heater

 

[JimRB]

I had a 20 amp GFCI breaker in the panel box protecting 12 gauge wire. The garage door opener would cause it to pop. I took the GFCI breaker out and put in a regular old 20 amp QO breaker and the problem went away. I did install a GFCI outlet in the garage that the door opener is not plugged into.

 

[fastjohnny]

My block heaters in my diesel trucks do not play nice with GFCI's...I think it is the resistance heating elements...

 

[AntonLargiader]

My block heaters in my diesel trucks do not play nice with GFCI's...I think it is the resistance heating elements...

Wow, block heaters are an area where I would definitely want a GFCI. I have never had a problem with my Zerostart coolant heater. I realize it's not quite the same thing as a freeze plug type, but leakage current is leakage current and I don't think you should want it in any type of heater.

 

[JimVonBaden]

Are you talking about a GFCI circuit breaker, or a GFCI outlet?

Outlet that kills all the other outlets.

 

[JimVonBaden]

I tried it on three different outlets, and on 600, 900 and 1500 watt settings. I suspect it is the heater. My other heater doesn't kick the breaker, but it is a different kind.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I tried it on three different outlets, and on 600, 900 and 1500 watt settings. I suspect it is the heater. My other heater doesn't kick the breaker, but it is a different kind.

Thanks for the info.

Is it tripping the circuit breaker or the GFCI outlet? Two entirely different scenarios.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Outlet that kills all the other outlets.

Can you take a pic and post here?

 

[JimVonBaden]

Is it tripping the circuit breaker or the GFCI outlet? Two entirely different scenarios.

GFCI Outlet.

I bought a new heater today. It doesn't trip it. Bad heater.

Thanks,

 

[Bretny]

Take an ohm reading of your old heater. Should have no contact between the ground and one of the prongs on the plug.

 

[ard]

I've had lots of GFCI outlets go bad.

100% of the time I replace them and it's fine.

Just my experience.

 

[Norcal]

I've had lots of GFCI outlets go bad.

100% of the time I replace them and it's fine.

Just my experience.

In the OP's case the GFCI was doing as intended.

 

[ard]

In the OP's case the GFCI was doing as intended.

Yeah, most likely on second read

I suppose reading and paying attention would be a good idea too...