Refrigerator tripping GFCI

[Paulski]

Can anyone help make sense/troubleshoot this one -

Set up - I have a GFCI receptacle above a counter that daisy chains to the refrigerator receptacle (behind the fridge). The house main breaker panel was replaced 2 years ago, and the breaker, wiring & GFCI is a year old. Refrigerator is ~12 years old

The GFCI Tripped this morning, only thing plugged into the circuit is a computer charger and the fridge. I was able to reset the GFCI, but it tripped within a minute.
I plugged the fridge into a different GFCI on another breaker and it has been fine for a few hours so far.

I left the computer charger plugged in and used a coffee grinder on the tripping GFCI and the GFCI did not trip

I also plugged in a toaster oven on the fridge receptacle to make sure that receptacle isn't the issue, the GFCI did not trip with the toaster oven

So I am not sure where the problem is - the fridge or the GFCI? Anything else I should check to troubleshoot? Or should I take the fridge off of the GFCI daisy chain so I dont have to worry about the fridge losing power when not home. I went down the google rabbit hole of if the fridge should be on a GFCI and I left with more questions than answers!

 

[cvairwerks]

Could be the GFCI. I've got one in the garage that trips almost ever time we have a thunderstorm. Even a thunderclap has been known to trip it!

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Could be a bad GFCI. Try replacing it.

 

[ez-duzit]

...I have a GFCI receptacle above a counter that daisy chains to the refrigerator receptacle...

This is likely your problem.

 

[Paulski]

This is likely your problem.

I wired it that way so I had easy access to it if it trips, I could add a GFCI behind the fridge and wire so its not daisy chained to the counter GFCI

That was part of the GFCI rabbit hole that I couldn't get a clear answer on- is the GFCI considered easily accessible if its behind a fridge and/or does the fridge even need a GFCI? Supposedly the loads inside a normal working fridge will cause a difference in the current between the hot and neutral - causing a GFCI to trip. But if thats true (I have no idea one way or the other) wouldn't there be a lot of issues with newer rules in some places requiring all GFCI breakers in the meter panels?

 

[nadogail]

When I taught a beginners class in Basic Electrical Wiring, probably more than 30 years ago, I recall reading that the allowable leakage current in the Self Defrost heater element was greater than what the current required to trip a GFCI. I advised my students to use a dedicated non GFCI protected receptacle for refrigerators. Those should be single receptacles, not a duplex and be located behind the refrigerator and about 5' high on the wall.

I realize that codes and practices have changed over the years and I may have been in error.

 

[u2slow]

Many appliances with heating elements have (or develop) leakage currents.

 

[SlappyWhite]

Shouldn't the fridge be on its own circuit? Why does the fridge need to be on GFCI?

As for troubleshooting.... plug an appliance into the outlet that the fridge was plugged into, not the GFCI outlet itself. The problem could be in the wiring to the fridge outlet and it needs a load to trip it.

 

[Paulski]

Shouldn't the fridge be on its own circuit? Why does the fridge need to be on GFCI?

As for troubleshooting.... plug an appliance into the outlet that the fridge was plugged into, not the GFCI outlet itself. The problem could be in the wiring to the fridge outlet and it needs a load to trip it.

I dont know if the fridge needs to be on its own circuit or GFCI, I cant find a straight answer. But it has been on a shared breaker for 11 years with the entire kitchen (house came that way), up into a year ago when the kitchen was rewired and it was put on a separate breaker with only the one counter GFCI outlet and fridge outlet. Never had issues until today.

I did try a toaster oven in the fridge outlet and it worked no problem.

The fridge just did trip the other kitchen GFCI outlet I had it directly plugged into (took about 4 hrs), so I tired plugging it into the laundry room GFCI and it tripped that instantly. I plugged it into a non GFCI outlet and it came back on, I noticed the freezer temp display on the door seemed to jump between 0 and 32* while shuffling it between outlets, than stayed at 33* and has been slowly dropping. I'm thinking I have a fridge issue, I did change the freezer temp sensor about a year ago too when the freezer stopped staying cool.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

This is likely your problem.

Why? A GFCI can protect downstream outlets...

Shouldn't the fridge be on its own circuit? Why does the fridge need to be on GFCI?

As for troubleshooting.... plug an appliance into the outlet that the fridge was plugged into, not the GFCI outlet itself. The problem could be in the wiring to the fridge outlet and it needs a load to trip it.

There is no requirement to put a fridge on its own circuit

 

[Terry D]

I would say it is the refrigerator, unfortunately. Had a similar service call once. I changed the GFCI and still tripped. Customer insisted that it was not the refrigerator. He plugged it into a regular outlet with a extension cord. With in 30 seconds sparks was coming out of the compressor. The GFCI was doing its job. Your compressor windings may be going to ground.

You could try to unwire the compressor from the circuit and plug it back in to see if the GFCI holds. Or try to Meg the windings

 

[SlappyWhite]

There is no requirement to put a fridge on its own circuit

Difference between CEC/OEC and NEC then. Here the fridge (in the kitchen) needs its own circuit with the exception of a kitchen wall clock (it can share the fridge circuit).

But why GFCI the fridge? Is that a NEC requirement?

 

[u2slow]

There are millions of refrigerators/freezers in operation in north america, on legacy non-GFCI circuits, that probably have a ground leak in the defrost element.

Different jurisdictions may prescribe a dedicated circuit for the primary refrigerator. CEC does. I've always thought it was a good idea.

 

[FMB4]

It's a good idea to always start with easiest/cheapest thing to replace. That would, in your case, be the GFCI (of course). Meanwhile our built in '02 house has a dedicated refrigerator circuit without a GFCI. I was surprised at this until I realized that there are a lot of very large, and likely high amp draw, refrigerators available with ice makers, water/drink dispensers, and who knows what else. Note: I plan on installing a GFCI recpt in the near future.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Difference between CEC/OEC and NEC then. Here the fridge (in the kitchen) needs its own circuit with the exception of a kitchen wall clock (it can share the fridge circuit).

But why GFCI the fridge? Is that a NEC requirement?

No requirement to GFCI protect the fridge outlet, UNLESS its connected to the SABCs- small appliance branch circuits aka counter top circuits.

 

[Duke74]

Here in Canada, the fridge is on it’s own circuit. That being said, it also does not have to be a GFCI receptacle. What you can do it take the wire feeding the fridge out of the ‘load’ side of the GFCI. Just pigtail it to the power coming in to feed the GFCI receptacle. That way if the GFCI trips, it will not kill power to the fridge.

 

[JunkBonds]

Up until 30 years ago refrigerators consumed enough power they required a dedicated 15 amp circuit.

It is still likely required to protect against old frigs being used. GFCI is not required.

 

[larry4406]

My pending kitchen remodel the fridge and freezer units all spec a dedicated 15A, no mention of GFI.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

The NEC does not require a dedicated outlet for the refrigerator

Up until 30 years ago refrigerators consumed enough power they required a dedicated 15 amp circuit.

It is still likely required to protect against old frigs being used. GFCI is not required.

The NEC does not require a dedicated outlet for the refrigerator.

 

[JunkBonds]

The NEC does not require a dedicated outlet for the refrigerator

The NEC does not require a dedicated outlet for the refrigerator.

It used to. When did it change? Just curious.

 

[paulsomlo]

I wouldn't put a fridge on a GFI circuit, too much risk with losing food.

 

[sparky 1971]

It used to. When did it change? Just curious.

It's not something that has been required during my career. I've been at it for 27 years now. I've known several people that made it common practice and swore it was "code", but couldn't show me in the book. To my knowledge, it has never been required by the NEC.

 

[u3b3rg33k]

I've seen old refrigerators/wine coolers trip GFCIs. shortly thereafter they sometimes start tripping the breaker. compressors often die with a grounded winding.

 

[cvairwerks]

Wasn't there a change in the codes a bunch of years back that required GFCI protection for any socket that was within 6' of a an exposed water source?

 

[Terry D]

No requirement to GFCI protect the fridge outlet, UNLESS its connected to the SABCs- small appliance branch circuits aka counter top circuits.

The only time a refrigerator is required to be GFCI protected is if the refrigerator outlet is within 6 ft of the sink. If it is farther away and connected to the small appliance branch circuit, it is not required to be GFCI protected. Unless of course it is actually plugged into a counter receptacle instead of a receptacle behind the refrigerator

 

[Terry D]

I always run a dedicated circuit for a refrigerator, That's just my choice, but the only thing that I know of the NEC talking about a dedicated circuit for a specific appliance in the kitchen, is 210.52(B)(1) saying that the 2 or more 20 amp small appliance circuits shall serve all wall and floor receptacles, all countertop receptacles and receptacles for refrigeration equipment. Pretty much saying that all receptacles in a kitchen have to be on 20 amp circuits, and no less than two. But, per exception #2, if you choose to run a dedicated circuit for a specific appliance, it can be a 15 amp. This is from the 2017 NEC

 

[dscheidt]

It used to. When did it change? Just curious.

Never. the NEC has never required a dedicated outlet for a refrigerator. Some localities might, and it's in the installation requirements of some appliances (which makes it a code requirement).

 

[dscheidt]

The fridge just did trip the other kitchen GFCI outlet I had it directly plugged into (took about 4 hrs), so I tired plugging it into the laundry room GFCI and it tripped that instantly. I plugged it into a non GFCI outlet and it came back on, I noticed the freezer temp display on the door seemed to jump between 0 and 32* while shuffling it between outlets, than stayed at 33* and has been slowly dropping. I'm thinking I have a fridge issue, I did change the freezer temp sensor about a year ago too when the freezer stopped staying cool.

An appliance that trips multiple GFCIs is broken or defective. Probably time to go shopping....

 

[NZGarage]

This is common problem with older fridge and freezer units, something to do with the frequency they generate on the wire.
It does not necessarily mean there is anything faulty with the unit.
The solution is ask your electrician to put the fridge in its own seperate wire and circuit breaker.

 

[JunkBonds]

Never. the NEC has never required a dedicated outlet for a refrigerator. Some localities might, and it's in the installation requirements of some appliances (which makes it a code requirement).

Post 26 right before your post says the NEC does require a dedicated circuit for refrigeration equipment.

 

[PCustoms]

I plugged the fridge into a different GFCI on another breaker and it has been fine for a few hours so far.

Anyone miss this?

 

[Terry D]

Anyone miss this?

In post #9, the OP said it tripped that gfci also in 4 hrs.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Post 26 right before your post says the NEC does require a dedicated circuit for refrigeration equipment.

That’s not what the code says. It says shall serve. Doesn’t say it needs to be dedicated

 

[Syberia]

Likely water/ice finding its way into the defrost element. The time it took to plug it into another outlet probably reset the defrost cycle.

 

[PCustoms]

In post #9, the OP said it tripped that gfci also in 4 hrs.

Touche'

 

[u2slow]

It doesn't have to be a water-related GFCI trip. Ground leakage happens through the heating/defrost element supports (usually metallic) when a GFCI circuit isn't anticipated by the mfr.

Many fridges also stipulate a 15A circuit/OCP in their user manuals. Obeying that further aligns you with a dedicated circuit.

 

[Paulski]

So I'm convinced it is a problem with the fridge itself, since it was still acting a little funny when plugged into a non GFCI outlet. Since the fridge is 12 years old and has had a other smaller issues in the past, I opted to get a new fridge and turn this one into a garage fridge (always wanted one) - that way too, I can troubleshoot on my own time without worrying about losing a bunch of food.

Warning about getting a new fridge - its slim pick in's right now, just about everything is out of stock with a delivery date that is way into the future, some estimated in Dec-Jan

BUT i also reached out to Frigidaire to get there consensus on the GFCI, they said it is preferred to not be on a GFCI circuit

 

[wyliesdiesels]

So I'm convinced it is a problem with the fridge itself, since it was still acting a little funny when plugged into a non GFCI outlet. Since the fridge is 12 years old and has had a other smaller issues in the past, I opted to get a new fridge and turn this one into a garage fridge (always wanted one) - that way too, I can troubleshoot on my own time without worrying about losing a bunch of food.

Warning about getting a new fridge - its slim pick in's right now, just about everything is out of stock with a delivery date that is way into the future, some estimated in Dec-Jan

BUT i also reached out to Frigidaire to get there consensus on the GFCI, they said it is preferred to not be on a GFCI circuit

This must be highly dependent on the region

Home depot here has hundreds of fridges in stock. I needed a new fridge for my shop and i had lots to chose from. Delivery was a week out...

 

[dscheidt]

BUT i also reached out to Frigidaire to get there consensus on the GFCI, they said it is preferred to not be on a GFCI circuit

saying don't use it on GFCI is the same as your mechanic telling you not to drive your car on the highway or it will catch fire.
If it doesn't work right plugged into a GFCI, it's defective. GFCI in the kitchen have been required for decades, anyone making something that doesn't work right is either incompetent, or actively trying to kill their users. (the 2002 code cycle required GFCI for all 120V receptacles in commercial kitchens. there is no mass failure of reach in fridges or freezers there, and commercial users would laugh at being told they shouldn't be able to use a fridge in the kitchen.)

 

[u3b3rg33k]

saying don't use it on GFCI is the same as your mechanic telling you not to drive your car on the highway or it will catch fire.
If it doesn't work right plugged into a GFCI, it's defective. GFCI in the kitchen have been required for decades, anyone making something that doesn't work right is either incompetent, or actively trying to kill their users. (the 2002 code cycle required GFCI for all 120V receptacles in commercial kitchens. there is no mass failure of reach in fridges or freezers there, and commercial users would laugh at being told they shouldn't be able to use a fridge in the kitchen.)

that's a bit dramatic. plenty of older motor controllers or 110V VFDs will insta-trip or have massive issues on a GFCI outlet/breaker. pretty sure that was/is an issue with early model ECM blower furnaces before they started putting GFCI breakers in the code.