gfi has started popping behind the fridge

[visiting guest]

has worked great for the last 10 years.

now it is popping.

worn out ?

 

[Fixin'Stuff]

Could just be worn out. Could also be that something in the fridge is providing a leakage current to ground and the GFI is just doing its job. A new GFI is cheap and easy to swap. If the new one also trips off then things get more expensive.

 

[Milton Shaw]

In the frig it probably is a defrost heater broken and shorted. That is the most likely thing after you change the GFCI. Defrost heater is in the freezer section usually have to remove the inside back of the freezer to see the heater(s). Some frigs have two set at different heights in the coil itself. I have also seen wiring from inside the cabinet where it come out to have water in the cable and that also would trip a GFCI.

 

[mm08822]

You should move that gfci recept upstream in the circuit if possible so it is not buried behind the fridge. Otherwise consider a gfci breaker in the panel. When you pull the gfci recept for inspection, you will have a better idea of what your options are.

Also plug the fridge into another gfci recept using ext cord and see if you have same problems with tripping gfci again as a test..

 

[GunRunner]

I'm sure this is not the case with your situation but I had a GFCI popping in my attached garage where the frig just happened to be plugged into. I finally figured out that my lamp post was on the same circuit and the glass globe broke in a storm one night and water got down in the sockets. I disconnected the head on my lamp post and problem was solved.