Garage door motor tripping GFCI

J

JoeNorm

Senior Member
Location
WA
I have a client whose garage door opener is tripping the GFCI receptacle it is connected to. It is an older unit if that makes any difference. The GFCI receptacle is new.

Before I start down the rabbit hole I am wondering if this is a common problem or not? Would it likely be something within the motor itself?

Would an aging unit have anything to do with it?

thanks for any insight.
 
Most likely the motor, least likely the GFCI. Take an extension cord and plug into a different GFCI.
The GFCI trips between 4-6 mA, it could have a much higher fault current….
Did the tripping recently start?
 
AC Leakage Clamp Meter and Extension Cord to non-GFCI source. This is the only way I know to conclusively prove to the HO that their equipment is a fault.

Mark
 
CoolWill said:
If it doesn't trip, it is a ground fault inside the GDO. If it still trips, there is a ground fault in the circuit between the GFCI and the receptacle. Or the GFCI is bad.
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Not seeing it. If you've unplugged the opener and it doesn't trip you've already proved the GFCI and Wiring. only thing left is the opener. Only diagnostic this could prove is it a fault to ground or a N/G fault. Only useful if you are desiring to repair the opener and not just replace. But this can be tested by just unplugging and meter for continuity from L to G and N to G.
Also note real life caution in post #11 by Jim. Your method suggested that a N/G fault be bypassed with a "cheater adapter" and HO WILL more than likely just opt to keep the cheater than the costlier option of replacing the motor. SEEN IT. Give the HO a "temporary fix" and then you will never get called back for the "real" fix until a total failure (if the house is still standing).
 
jim dungar said:
Until the HO sees you do it, then decides they can just buy a cheater instead of a new appliance.
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That doesn't logic to me. I don't care what a homeowner might see. What if he sees me take the panel cover off and thinks he can do it? What if I put my meter probes in a receptacle and he thinks he can jam stuff into receptacles too? What if I eat some candy and he thinks he can too but dies of a diabetic reaction? Using a ground cheater for troubleshooting is a valid technique.
 
Fred B said:
Not seeing it. If you've unplugged the opener and it doesn't trip you've already proved the GFCI and Wiring. only thing left is the opener. Only diagnostic this could prove is it a fault to ground or a N/G fault. Only useful if you are desiring to repair the opener and not just replace. But this can be tested by just unplugging and meter for continuity from L to G and N to G.
Also note real life caution in post #11 by Jim. Your method suggested that a N/G fault be bypassed with a "cheater adapter" and HO WILL more than likely just opt to keep the cheater than the costlier option of replacing the motor. SEEN IT. Give the HO a "temporary fix" and then you will never get called back for the "real" fix until a total failure (if the house is still standing).
Click to expand...

I am NOT saying to leave this in place for any amount of time. Don't plug it in and go on vacation. You guys are scared of your own shadow sometimes.

There are times when a neutral-to-ground fault will not trip the GFCI until some amount of current is flowing. I've seen it a number of times. Most of the time such a fault will trip the GFCI right away, but not always. This is an easy way to troubleshoot it.
 
So is a Megger.

We know you won't leave it and understand the consequences. There are persons that read these posts and do not.

A GFCI that stays on when the load is Off or unplugged pretty much tells you where the problem is. For the GD, that leaves the light or the motor. I might of replaced the motor on commercial door, but never a residential.
 
CoolWill said:
Using a ground cheater for troubleshooting is a valid technique.
Click to expand...
I didn't say it wasn't. I simply cautioned about the HO watching you do it.

I like the idea of plugging the suspect device into a different GFCI, rather than bypassing the suspect GFCI. And no i am not worried the customer will see me using uninsulated jumper clips or other actual troubleshooting methods.
 
I didn't see anyone mention plugging something else into the GFCI, such as a drill or shop vac, to see if it trips. That would show the HO that the GFCI is either good or bad. If it doesn't trip, then plug the door opener into another GFCI receptacle.
 
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