GFCI outlet tripping

Officially, that's a local code question. Call your city building inspector and ask. But around here it is perfectly legal to have a "dedicated use" receptacle that is not on a GFCI, even in a location that requires GFCIs. When adding outlets to my garage (which requires GFCI) the inspector let me have an unprotected dedicate use receptical. My excuse was that I have 120v welder and I didn't know if it would run on a GFCI.

BTW, a dedicate use recepctacle is one that you can only plug a single device into.

 

I don't believe that it's a "load" issue. Probably an issue with the branch circuit somewhere. GFCI's are very particular about how the branch circuit is installed.

 

Not anymore. Not since the New 2020 NEC Cycle.

 

Gotcha. I appreciate everyone’s help. I’ll buy an appliance extension cord for it and try it on the other circuit and let you know.

I agree with you that I’d rather not remove the gfci outlet from the circuit

 

Just curious? Does the new AC unit have a GFCI device on the cord? You can't run two GFCI devices in series.

 

It does. Or I think it’s an afci device on the end of it. It has the test/reset button on it

 

"Light-Bulb" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't say for sure. But that is probably the problem. I do know "for sure" that you can't run these devices in series.

 

When I temporarily removed the gfci outlet and had a regular outlet installed it never had any issues. That must be it (I’m electrical dumb plus a few in)

 

I would tell you to cut off the GFCI from the new AC unit. But that would void any warranties.

 

You sure that 20 amp circuit has 12 gauge wiring throughout the run? Cant safely just swap out a 15 amp breaker for a 20 and think it’ll be ok. Be safe! Good luck!

(Apologies if it’s already come up)

 

I think he only changed the GFCI receptacle? Not the breaker.

 

Correct, just the GFCI. The breaker hasn't been replaced. I'll have to check the wire size the next time I'm out in the detached garage

 

Pics of the wire and the breaker would be super helpful

 

Just remove the gfic outlet and run the appropriate arc fault breaker in the breaker box if code permits you do so.

 

Gotta separate the neural using afci.
Could run into more issues or the breaker not resetting because of shared neutral somewhere

 

IIRC GFCIs detect a difference between the current going in, and the current going out the neutral. So if the AC is sending some current down the ground wire, instead of out the neutral, it'll trip.

Since it does run for a while sometimes, and other devices are fine, I'd be looking closely at the AC unit.

 

The GFCI branch circuit protector is being run in series with the GFCI equipment protection. This application will not work. I can't explain why this doesn't work. But I've seen it play out this way IRL many times.

 

#7 is the circuit the ac unit is on




End of ac unit plug going into a single 20 amp receptacle. The ac unit itself is designed for a 15 amp plug


AC unit

Plug wiring. This is where the GFCI used to be but is currently removed for this standard 15 amp receptacle. AC unit works fine and so do the rest of the outlets without the GFCI.


Hard to see but the wiring has white sheathing around it. That's 14 gauge, right? Which means it's only rated for 15 amp so adding the 20 amp GFCI or any other 20 amp receptacle does nothing?

 

It's 12 awg wire.
It's on a 20 amp circuit.
Get rid of the GFI and use a normal plug.
The unit is already gfi protected thru the chinga on the cord, like hair dryer.

Also that plug I would replace with a 20 amp receptacle, pig tail the wires and fix the ground with a solid piece of wire.

Edit: is the plug for the ac at the end of your plugs or the beginning in the garage.
Might be possible to GFI the rest of the plugs down the line if the ac is in the 1st plug on the line

Other idea is to cut off the chinga on the cord. Put a new end on. Reinstall new 20 amp gfi and run it.

Also the Square D breaker is not rated for a GE panel

 

Well it is on a 20A breaker. Personally, I can't tell from the pictures what the actual wire size is.

Doesn't really matter what the current ratings are on the outlets.

I wouldn't worry to much about the grounds. The bucannon crimp connector is just fine. I see that the primary ground splice is a little bit further back. Don't fix anything that isn't broken.

What does that SP 30A go to?