Garage GFCI's question.

[Strife]

I got a customer who's got a refrigerator in the garage plugged in a GFI receptacle.
Apparently the refrigerator keeps tripping the GFI every couple days or so. Biggest problem is not having to reset the GFI, but rather by the time they notice refrigerator goes warm.
As far as I know every receptacle in a garage has to be GFI protected. Is there an exception to that regarding refrigerators?
I have to go there this afternoon so I don't have much time to do research on the code, so if anyone has a code reference I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks.

 

[jumper]

2005 would allow it not to be GFCI, 2008 and 2011 requires GFCI. What cycle you on?

210.8

They make alarms you could put in, a few were posted earlier this week.

http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=145006&p=1395833#post1395833

 

[qcroanoke]

I got a customer who's got a refrigerator in the garage plugged in a GFI receptacle.
Apparently the refrigerator keeps tripping the GFI every couple days or so. Biggest problem is not having to reset the GFI, but rather by the time they notice refrigerator goes warm.
As far as I know every receptacle in a garage has to be GFI protected. Is there an exception to that regarding refrigerators?
I have to go there this afternoon so I don't have much time to do research on the code, so if anyone has a code reference I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks.

I would look into moving the refrigerator to a different GFI circuit and see if that circuit trips. If it does he needs another refrigerator. If it doesn't start by replacing the GFI that is tripping.
I just did a detached garage and every receptacle had to be GFI and we are under 2008.

 

[jimport]

Have the refrigerator repaired and install one of these.

http://www.legrand.us/passandseymour/gfcis-outlets/audible-alarm/1595traw.aspx

 

[jumper]

Have the refrigerator repaired and install one of these.

http://www.legrand.us/passandseymour/gfcis-outlets/audible-alarm/1595traw.aspx

Nice. Gotta a rough cost?

 

[Ponchik]

Nice. Gotta a rough cost?

I just bought one about 3 weeks ago for about $25.

 

[dhalleron]

Have the refrigerator repaired and install one of these.

http://www.legrand.us/passandseymour/gfcis-outlets/audible-alarm/1595traw.aspx

I wanted these for use on sump pump GFCIs. I called around for these a month or so ago. No supply house in my area seems to stock these. Is there a place to order them from the internet?

The supply houses always take too long to get special order stuff in, or they require a minimum order.

 

[jumper]

I wanted these for use on sump pump GFCIs. I called around for these a month or so ago. No supply house in my area seems to stock these. Is there a place to order them from the internet?

The supply houses always take too long to get special order stuff in, or they require a minimum order.

Found one, does not say shipping cost.

http://www.gordonelectricsupply.com/index.jsp?text=5624077

 

[resistance]

Many suppliers are doing a poor job of advertising new products. Thanks for the link, these devices can come in handy!!

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I just bought one about 3 weeks ago for about $25.

I paid about $17 but they are not that loud. If you use the garage it will work but if it is an area you don't use everyday you may not here them. I bought 10 and installed one in my basement- little disappointed as the decibel level.

 

[frankft2000]

Have the refrigerator repaired and install one of these.

http://www.legrand.us/passandseymour/gfcis-outlets/audible-alarm/1595traw.aspx

Installed my first one today. the alarm won't wake you out off a sleep, but if your within 15 feet or so, you'll hear it. Around $17

 

[Ponchik]

.......little disappointed as the decibel level.

The OP can always install a small relay with NC contact and a bell that will be connected on the load side of a regular GFCI.

 

[ptonsparky]

I paid about $17 but they are not that loud. If you use the garage it will work but if it is an area you don't use everyday you may not here them. I bought 10 and installed one in my basement- little disappointed as the decibel level.[/QUOTE

All you need is a wife close by...mine tells me when the phone.in my pocket is ringing.

 

[ActionDave]

All you need is a wife close by...mine tells me when the phone.in my pocket is ringing.

:lol: Been there more than once.

 

[kwired]

I got a customer who's got a refrigerator in the garage plugged in a GFI receptacle.
Apparently the refrigerator keeps tripping the GFI every couple days or so. Biggest problem is not having to reset the GFI, but rather by the time they notice refrigerator goes warm.
As far as I know every receptacle in a garage has to be GFI protected. Is there an exception to that regarding refrigerators?
I have to go there this afternoon so I don't have much time to do research on the code, so if anyone has a code reference I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks.

The problem is not the GFCI or the code that requires it. The problem is within the refrigerator. First thing I would check especially if that intermittent is the defrost heater.

 

[hurk27]

The problem is not the GFCI or the code that requires it. The problem is within the refrigerator. First thing I would check especially if that intermittent is the defrost heater.

Or someone installed one of those cheap Menard's GFCI receptacles, change it to a Leviton and the problem will go away if it is an inductive kick back problem, but like posted above and even wiring in the cabinet of the fridge could be getting wet from condensation, a meger between hot or neutral and the EGC will show if it is this problem.

 

[liquidtite]

I got a customer who's got a refrigerator in the garage plugged in a GFI receptacle.
Apparently the refrigerator keeps tripping the GFI every couple days or so. Biggest problem is not having to reset the GFI, but rather by the time they notice refrigerator goes warm.
As far as I know every receptacle in a garage has to be GFI protected. Is there an exception to that regarding refrigerators?
I have to go there this afternoon so I don't have much time to do research on the code, so if anyone has a code reference I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks.

I dont have the 2008 nec but I thought that if you wanted to get away with not having a gfi in a garage or unfinshed basment you could use a single plug , or have the plug not readily accesible

 

[ActionDave]

I dont have the 2008 nec but I thought that if you wanted to get away with not having a gfi in a garage or unfinshed basment you could use a single plug , or have the plug not readily accesible

Nope. I don't even think it was allowed in '05.

 

[jumper]

Nope. I don't even think it was allowed in '05.

The 2005 had a few exceptions that were removed in the 2008.

 

[stickboy1375]

Nope. I don't even think it was allowed in '05.

Connecticut is still on the 2005, and I could just install a single receptacle or a duplex for two appliances located within the dedicated space for each appliance that, in normal use, is not easily moved from one place to another and that is cord-and-plug connected....

Even though it is allowed, I normally just install a GFCI protected circuit.