badabing777
Capitola, CA
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My Dometic fridge tips my GFI after 10-15 min. Changed GFI, same problem. Plugged fridge into a different GFI protected outlet - still trips. Fridge works fine on a non-GFI outlet.
The question is - does a fridge really need GFI protection? I'm thinking of bypassing the GFI for the fridge but don't want to create any safety issues.
An earlier thread on this subject said:
A 120V element "leaking" neutral or Hot current and tripping a GFCI will test GOOD with an Ohm meter. That is why it is so difficult for some to figure out the problem. These "defective" elements will work just fine on a non GFCI circuit. It usually takes awhile (heating) before it causes the GFCI to trip.
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ktmrfs
Portland, Oregon
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the fact that the GFI trips is an indication that there is leakage current to ground on the fridge. that is not good, there shouldn't be any. It is remotely possible the GFI is bad also. I'm a strong believer in GFI circuits and all my household and trailer outlets with the exception of motors are on GFI. If it was me, I'd find and fix the problem, the most likely culprit is the electric heating element having a high resistance path to ground, which could be an early indication of a failure in the element.
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ScottG
Bothell Wa.
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Agree, your 120v heater is failing. I would replace it rather than circumvent the GFCI.
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tvman44
Southwest Louisiana
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X3 on the heating element, probably leaking current to ground.
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JJBIRISH
Butler, PA, USA
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badabing777 wrote:My Dometic fridge tips my GFI after 10-15 min. Changed GFI, same problem. Plugged fridge into a different GFI protected outlet - still trips. Fridge works fine on a non-GFI outlet.
The question is - does a fridge really need GFI protection? I'm thinking of bypassing the GFI for the fridge but don't want to create any safety issues.
An earlier thread on this subject said:
A 120V element "leaking" neutral or Hot current and tripping a GFCI will test GOOD with an Ohm meter. That is why it is so difficult for some to figure out the problem. These "defective" elements will work just fine on a non GFCI circuit. It usually takes awhile (heating) before it causes the GFCI to trip.
What was said in that earlier thread was not all that uncommon ten+ years ago and many dealers didn’t know why it happened and just removed the fridge from the GFI…
While that isn’t the proper fix, I never heard of anyone ever having a problem resulting from it…
I personally know of one that had the element, power cord, receptacle, and the GFI replaced and it still tripped… the source of the problem was never pinpointed or isolated… it was used for years plugged into a indoor receptacle in the compartment just below the fridge…
I could be wrong but I don’t think it is the fridge that requires the GFI, but its required because the receptacle its plugged into is considered a outside receptacle…
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RGar974417
Robesonia,Pa 19551
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According to the NEC,the fridge is not required to be GFI protected. What typically happens is that older fridges wiring insulation starts to break down and can leak a small amount of current to ground.A GFI will trip on current leaking to ground even as small as 1-100th of an amp.Put fridge on non GFI circuit and it will be fine.
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