Strange GFCI

[A/A Fuel GTX]

I have a MWBC feeding two GFCI recepts over a kitchen counter top. One recept is on one leg and the other is on the second leg. Common neutral and no load side connections. There is a range hood with light and two speed fan connected to the line side of one of the recepts. Now the strange thing..........the fan on either speed trips one or both of the GFCI's only when the switch is placed in the OFF position. The light works fine and is not a factor. When the fan is turned to the on position, it will run for hours but as soon as it is turned off, the trip happens instantly. I'm stumped on this one...........

 

[mcclary's electrical]

I have a MWBC feeding two GFCI recepts over a kitchen counter top. One recept is on one leg and the other is on the second leg. Common neutral and no load side connections. There is a range hood with light and two speed fan connected to the line side of one of the recepts. Now the strange thing..........the fan on either speed trips one or both of the GFCI's only when the switch is placed in the OFF position. The light works fine and is not a factor. When the fan is turned to the on position, it will run for hours but as soon as it is turned off, the trip happens instantly. I'm stumped on this one...........

You have wired this incorrectly. You cannot share a neutral on the line side of 2 seperate GFI's. What kind os panel is it? You might be able to get a breaker to do the job

 

[chris kennedy]

You cannot share a neutral on the line side of 2 seperate GFI's.

Darn, now I have to go back and fix 20 years worth of MWBC's with GFCI receptacles on them.

 

[infinity]

You have wired this incorrectly. You cannot share a neutral on the line side of 2 seperate GFI's. What kind os panel is it? You might be able to get a breaker to do the job

Are you sure you meant the line side? The panel feeding the line side of these two circuits is fed from one big MWBC.

 

[chris kennedy]

Are you sure you meant the line side? The panel feeding the line side of these two circuits is fed from one big MWBC.

Are you sure you meant MWBC? Thats a feeder.:grin:

 

[slick 50]

You have wired this incorrectly. You cannot share a neutral on the line side of 2 seperate GFI's. What kind os panel is it? You might be able to get a breaker to do the job

Disagree with you. You can share neutral with (2) ungrounded conductors on the line side of (2) GFCI receptacles. The receptacle only monitors the load side and nothing on the line side.

 

[KWH]

Similar Problem

Similar Problem

I am doing a room addition ,install new dedicated washer circuit need to fire up new circuit so I double it up under existing washer circuit ( temporary ) breaker the gfi outlet on the new circuit will not hold. I disconnect existing washer circuit problem goes away. ???

 

[slick 50]

I am doing a room addition ,install new dedicated washer circuit need to fire up new circuit so I double it up under existing washer circuit ( temporary ) breaker the gfi outlet on the new circuit will not hold. I disconnect existing washer circuit problem goes away. ???

Do a continuity test between the existing washer circuit neutral and ground bar at the load center. Should read infinity but probably does not.

 

[cowboyjwc]

For kicks and giggles, I would check to make sure that you don't have a neutral reversed between the line and the load.

 

[ELA]

I have a MWBC feeding two GFCI recepts over a kitchen counter top. One recept is on one leg and the other is on the second leg. Common neutral and no load side connections. There is a range hood with light and two speed fan connected to the line side of one of the recepts. Now the strange thing..........the fan on either speed trips one or both of the GFCI's only when the switch is placed in the OFF position. The light works fine and is not a factor. When the fan is turned to the on position, it will run for hours but as soon as it is turned off, the trip happens instantly. I'm stumped on this one...........

Here is a thread that speaks to this issue:

http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=124536

 

[infinity]

Are you sure you meant MWBC? Thats a feeder.:grin:

Yeah, I should have put the word like in there.

 

[A/A Fuel GTX]

Here is a thread that speaks to this issue:

http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=124536

Wow, that is exactly what is happening here. So possibly trying another brand of GFCI would be the ticket?

 

[mcclary's electrical]

Are you sure you meant the line side? The panel feeding the line side of these two circuits is fed from one big MWBC.

I meant load side,,,and it doesn't apply in the ops case. I was still asleep

 

[infinity]

I meant load side,,,and it doesn't apply in the ops case. I was still asleep

I know the feeling. :roll:

 

[A/A Fuel GTX]

What kind os panel is it? You might be able to get a breaker to do the job

It's an old ITE panel. GFI breakers would be way expensive since this affects 3 circuits. This kitchen has three circuits/three GFI's. The two GFI's on the MWBC are the two that trip the most. The other justs trips occasionally.

 

[A/A Fuel GTX]

Ok....I've got a follow up on this problem. I installed some Hubbell GFI recepts today and the problem went away. The original ones were the typical off brand variety Menards sells. Thanks for all the replies.