Refrigerator tripping GFCI

[Terry D]

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

You do understand that putting the refrigerator in a garage that it needs to be on a GFCI

 

[Terry D]

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

I never said, nor does the NEC say that a refrigerator needs to on a dedicated circuit. It says that it can share the circuit with one of the small appliance branch circuits that must all be 20 amp. But if you choose to put it on a dedicated circuit that it can be a 15 or 20 amp circuit

 

[Showkey]

You do understand that putting the refrigerator in a garage that it needs to be on a GFCI

And that’s exactly where the 50 prior posts have been with refrig or freezer in the garage ………with either a GFCI defective outlet, component issue ( like defrost element) or just plain nuisance tripping.

 

[dscheidt]

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.

residential kitchens have had to have GFCI protection for almost 40 years. His fridge is 12 years old (and has, it seems, been working fine plugged into a GFCI for most of that time.); if it's tripping a GFCI, it's broken. The manufacturer saying it should be used on GFCI is either a ***** call center clerk repeating some nonsense he read on the internet, or a manufacturer saying their stuff *****.

 

[MeentSS02]

Word of warning about using a kitchen refrigerator for garage duty: it really needs to be rated for it. A true garage fridge needs to be able to handle the wide temperature swings it will encounter in a garage.

 

[Mallen]

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!

Replace the GFCI. They cost 5-10 dollars.

Its also a great excuse to buy a 209 dollar set of insulated screwdrivers and a brand new 200 dollar multimeter and maybe a 100 dollar pair of diagonal cutters. Tell your wife you MUST have them to do the job. You'll break even with calling an electrician but then you will have the tools for the next job. She won't know any better.

Seriously though, obviously all you need is a screw driver. I'll mention that you should turn the main disconnect off AND switch all the breakers off AND tell everyone in the house that your working on the wiring so dont touch the breakers, AND check that the circuit is not live with a meter or test light (or plug a lamp into it, turn it on and see it lit, then turn the power off and see it off) because you do t know what mickey mouse bs the previous owner or tenant did to the wiring that could bypass a breaker) But it's probably the case you already know all that.

Once the GFCI is replaced, I'd the refrigerator keeps tripping it, there's probably a ground fault in the fridge... Ground fault circuit interrupter and all. In that cas I'd replace the one that DIDNT trip.

And dont lie to your wife to buy super expensive tools. She may not know but she will mention it to her brother or father and then your in the dog house.

 

[sparky 1971]

I have six gfci protected receptacles at my place. One closest to the kitchen sink which is at the end of a 4X8 island, one in each of two bathrooms, and three exterior receptacles. It's intentional that none of the 20+ in the shop, the rest of the kitchen, and the fridge and freezer aren't gfci's. There are a helluva lot more refrigerators out there humming along just fine without gfci protection than there are with it.

 

[Bert_]

I have six gfci protected receptacles at my place. One closest to the kitchen sink which is at the end of a 4X8 island, one in each of two bathrooms, and three exterior receptacles. It's intentional that none of the 20+ in the shop, the rest of the kitchen, and the fridge and freezer aren't gfci's. There are a helluva lot more refrigerators out there humming along just fine without gfci protection than there are with it.

I'm right there with you. Never understood wanting a fixed appliance on a GFCI. I'm to the point I just don't put gfci's on fridges or freezers.

I've got a grand total of one GFCI protected outlet on my whole property, it's in the bathroom. Someday I'll get a couple on the kitchen counter. Technically what's there is legal since it predates gfci's.

 

[sparky 1971]

Seriously though, obviously all you need is a screw driver. I'll mention that you should turn the main disconnect off AND switch all the breakers off AND tell everyone in the house that your working on the wiring so dont touch the breakers, AND check that the circuit is not live with a meter or test light (or plug a lamp into it, turn it on and see it lit, then turn the power off and see it off) because you do t know what mickey mouse bs the previous owner or tenant did to the wiring that could bypass a breaker) But it's probably the case you already know all that.

Don't turn the main off unless absolutely necessary. If it's old enough and hasn't been exercised, it may not turn back on. I can think of four calls off the top of my head where it's happened. Someone shut the main off to change a switch, receptacle, or light fixture and wound up getting a new panel because a replacement main wasn't available.

 

[Copymutt]

40 yrs. of 15 amp. non GFCI operation and now I understand why I can feel that tingle on the back of my hand when I brush the fridge bare hinges!

 

[u3b3rg33k]

Replace the GFCI. They cost 5-10 dollars.

Its also a great excuse to buy a 209 dollar set of insulated screwdrivers and a brand new 200 dollar multimeter and maybe a 100 dollar pair of diagonal cutters. Tell your wife you MUST have them to do the job. You'll break even with calling an electrician but then you will have the tools for the next job. She won't know any better.

Seriously though, obviously all you need is a screw driver. I'll mention that you should turn the main disconnect off AND switch all the breakers off AND tell everyone in the house that your working on the wiring so dont touch the breakers, AND check that the circuit is not live with a meter or test light (or plug a lamp into it, turn it on and see it lit, then turn the power off and see it off) because you do t know what mickey mouse bs the previous owner or tenant did to the wiring that could bypass a breaker) But it's probably the case you already know all that.

Once the GFCI is replaced, I'd the refrigerator keeps tripping it, there's probably a ground fault in the fridge... Ground fault circuit interrupter and all. In that cas I'd replace the one that DIDNT trip.

And dont lie to your wife to buy super expensive tools. She may not know but she will mention it to her brother or father and then your in the dog house.

no no you just buy a lockout-tagout kit and lock-out that breaker.

 

[Meursault74]

I'm right there with you. Never understood wanting a fixed appliance on a GFCI. I'm to the point I just don't put gfci's on fridges or freezers.

I've got a grand total of one GFCI protected outlet on my whole property, it's in the bathroom. Someday I'll get a couple on the kitchen counter. Technically what's there is legal since it predates gfci's.

my home predates the requirements so I don't have to have them either. But I do have them in the bathrooms and next to the kitchen sink though. I also put them in the garage.

I had a leaky conduit hose in the clothes washing machine and water was dripping on the floor. After I replaced the hose I installed a GFCI for the outlet for the clothes washing machine and dryer (gas) as a precaution. Those are the only fixed appliances I have on a GFCI.

 

[cvairwerks]

Replace the GFCI. They cost 5-10 dollars.

A bunch more snipped out...

Good thing I know you are being facetious......Replacing that outlet is so way down on my priority list, that it would need a helium balloon to get it above page 10. I did my first household wiring project only about 50 years ago. I've worked with microvolts to power tubes to generate x-rays over the following years.......

 

[u2slow]

40 yrs. of 15 amp. non GFCI operation and now I understand why I can feel that tingle on the back of my hand when I brush the fridge bare hinges!

I would say to re-check the equipment bonding.

Leakage or fault current should be taking a path to ground that is not through you.