AFCI breakers nuisance tripping

[Rsemp]

I wired a home that has two outlets, dishwasher and disposal, and microwave in the island. All neutrals are separated ( each on individual AFCI breakers). This home was finished 11 months ago and now experiencing tripping issues. I’ve done this several times before and never had issues like this, my question is should I have an individual ground for each circuit?

 

[hbiss]

Don't you have separate cables for each circuit or is this in conduit?

-Hal

 

[mtnelect]

Please refer to my proposal on changes to the NEC.

 

[LarryFine]

Try swapping each tripping AFCI breaker with another one that isn't tripping.

This has worked more often than not for me. No, the grounds aren't relevant.

 

[Rsemp]

Don't you have separate cables for each circuit or is this in conduit?

-Hal

Yes in conduit. I ran romex for each circuit to a junction box and conduit from there with THHN. I stated that these were all on AFCI breakers but I remembered that due to limited space, the two outlets are on a combination AFCI/GFCI

 

[Rsemp]

Try swapping each tripping AFCI breaker with another one that isn't tripping.

This has worked more often than not for me. No, the grounds aren't relevant.

I installed new AFCI breakers a couple of days ago.

 

[Rsemp]

I installed new AFCI breakers a couple of days ago.

I didn’t think the grounds were relevant just reaching at this point. I’m going to open junction boxes and double check connections. Thanks

 

[LarryFine]

Shared or mixed-up neutrals?

 

[mtnelect]

Shared or mixed-up neutrals?

All the same will result in "Phantom" tripping.

 

[Rsemp]

Shared or mixed-up neutrals?

None shared and relatively sure not mixed up but going to check again. House was finished 11 months ago and just now having issues. Thanks

 

[LarryFine]

House was finished 11 months ago and just now having issues.

If you replaced the breakers and the new ones are tripping, too, then the appliances are to blame.

 

[tthh]

If you replaced the breakers and the new ones are tripping, too, then the appliances are to blame.

Good question...are any appliances new?

 

[James L]

It might help to know the trip characteristics.

Do the breakers reset? Or are they tripping instantaneously?

If they reset, are they tripping together?

Are they tripping only when the appliances are in use, or just random nuicance?

Are they tripping at a certain time of day or night?

 

[Jraef]

AFCI breakers are notorious for not "liking" some types of loads, especially motor loads. I've been advocating not using AFCI breakers because you cannot swap brands if there is an issue with the load. So instead, use AFCI receptacles and if the one you install is too sensitive for a particular load, change the receptacle to a different brand until you find one that holds.

 

[micabay]

Please refer to my proposal on changes to the NEC.

Do you have a link to said change proposals?

 

[Rsemp]

I don’t

 

[shortcircuit2]

NEMA has a way to report AFCI nuisance tripping...

AFCI Unwanted Tripping Report | AFCI Safety

www.afcisafety.org

 

[shortcircuit2]

AFCI breakers are notorious for not "liking" some types of loads, especially motor loads. I've been advocating not using AFCI breakers because you cannot swap brands if there is an issue with the load. So instead, use AFCI receptacles and if the one you install is too sensitive for a particular load, change the receptacle to a different brand until you find one that holds.

I have used a surge cube inline with some equipment to alleviate nuisance tripping and it worked...

1-Outlet Home Series SurgeCube | Belkin: US

The Home Series offers a one-outlet wall mount-direct surge protection for your standard household electronics, kitchen appliances and more.

www.belkin.com

 

[mtnelect]

Do you have a link to said change proposals?

Refer to this forums home page un "Proposals/Comments for the next NEC cycle".