I replaced an existing breaker for a new dishwasher with a GFI breaker. I inadvertently purchased a GFI/AFCI breaker and am getting constant nuisance trips. Is there any way to correct this without swapping out the breaker?
How to Prevent Nuisance Trips
- Thread starter PJorgen
- Start date
dcg9381
Well-known member
The combo breakers are highly problematic for me. I've replaced most of them. And arc-fault breaker followed by a gfci outlet doesn't nuance trip like the afi/gfi combo breakers.
I'd replace the breaker with a GFI breaker, or "more correctly" an AFI breaker and a GFI outlet.
The breaker does not differentiate between GF or AF trips. I don't think there is an issue with the circuit, it's a dedicated 20A circuit and the house is fairly new. I should have checked the receptacle when the dishwasher was being replaced but didn't think of that. None of the other receptacles are back-stabbed so I doubt that one is.
Would prefer to have used a GFI receptacle, but the receptacle is BEHIND the dishwasher! Not sure who thought that was a good idea.
Guess I'll replace the combo breaker with a GFI-only breaker, but it bugs me that I blew $63 on a breaker I can't use.
Would prefer to have used a GFI receptacle, but the receptacle is BEHIND the dishwasher! Not sure who thought that was a good idea.
Guess I'll replace the combo breaker with a GFI-only breaker, but it bugs me that I blew $63 on a breaker I can't use.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
how long ago did u buy it?
Last week
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
you should be able to return it.
walta
Well-known member
Note the combo breaker GFI offers equipment protection at 30 mA of fault current. In your kitchen you need the life safety protection offered by the stand alone GFI at 5 mA.
Walta
Walta
dave*99
Well-known member
Those breakers with GFPE (30mA protection) do exist. But I suspect the OP bought a CAFCI/GFCI breaker with the class A 5 mA protection. I'm not sure GFPE combos are on the shelf in Home Depot. Has anyone seen one there?
"A standard Square D AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) breaker is generally not a GFPE (Ground Fault Protection of Equipment) unit, but rather protects against fire caused by arcing. However, Square D offers "Dual Function" (CAFCI/GFCI) breakers that combine arc-fault protection with Class A GFCI protection (typically 4-6mA), which is more sensitive than standard GFPE. "
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Ive never paid attention to that but now that you mention it, next time im at home depot im gonna specifically look because it has peaked my curiosity.... i suspect HD doesnt stock them as it creates a potential for a major issue (shock hazard) as homeowners and handyman wont know the difference.... or what to look for...
dave*99
Well-known member
The GFPE types with 30mA trip that I'm familiar with have an orange trip handle. I see them in shore power pedestals. On the boat itself, you should have class A protection, but the pedestal gets this:
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Is the orange handle a code requirement? Ive never heard of a code requiring that. if not then that will vary by brand
dave*99
Well-known member
No color requirement in the code, and it will vary by brand.
dcg9381
Well-known member
I dunno about the combo breakers, but chasing a ground-fault on with an "marine" inverter equipped RV, I found that the inverter was designed for use in marinas and commercial marina GFI has an allowed leakage of 30mA before tripping. Residential is 5mA... Basically no way the RV I was working on was every going to play nice with a "residential GFCI" breaker at 5mA.
