[R-390] GFCI issues

[KR4HV]

Check the grounds in your system.  GFCI (Ground Fault Current Interrupter)
detect ground faults and require very good grounds for the green and white
wires all the way back to the panel and including the neutral/ground
connections in the panel and meter socket/ground rod. Some will trip with a
very small current flowing to ground from the phase conductor or from the
neutral conductor if it is not at "ground" potential.
Make sure the grounds and neutral conductors are tight in the panel and in
j-boxes in the circuit in between the GFCI and the panel.

If the device being used is rated at no more than 80% of the circuit
overload protective device, i.e. the panel breaker (or fuse for that
matter), the circuit conductor rating and the GFCI rating, the GFCI should
work when all conductors are properly installed. (It may work at more than
80% when "otherwise" properly installed but 80% is a good target for loads
on circuits. 

Walt KR4HV

-----Original Message-----
From: r-390-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:r-390-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of Jim Haynes
Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2013 1:49 PM
To: rbethman
Cc: R-390-List
Subject: Re: [R-390] GFCI issues

I'm having a somewhat similar problem.  Older house, but new outlet with a
GFCI breaker installed for the washing machine.  About once a week the GFCI
trips in the middle of the night.  Even with the washing machine unplugged.
And I replaced the (ordinary) outlet at the machine.
At first that seemed to help, but then the GFCI tripped again.

What I plan to do next is get an AC milliammeter and see how much current
flows from the breaker to the Romex with nothing plugged in.
And also use a variable resistor to see how much current it takes to trip
the GFCI.

An ohmmeter shows no leakage on the Romex itself.  A friend suggests using a
Megger (an ohmmeter that uses a high voltage source).  I did try an
improvised megger, in the form of a capacitor tester that applies a high DC
voltage across the capacitor under test.

Jim W6JVE

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