GFCI nuisance tripping

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Tony Ledford

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I have an electric floor warmingsystem. The thermostat has a 5mA GFCI and every other day the GFCI trips.
I have run every test known to man; even a mA test and the readings are wellbelow the 5 mA. Does anyone have some words of wisdom that would help me lookat something I might have missed?:blink::angel:
 
18051035 EDT

Tony Ledford:

Get two identical models of brand new Leviton GFCIs. The only reason for Leviton is that in the past I have run some experiments on their units.

Replace your present GFCI with one of these. The second GFCI is connected in parallel on the input side with the first. Possibly with leads as short as 1 ft. The second GFCI has no load. Then wait for one or both to trip.

Assume just the first one trips, call it #1. Interchange the two GFCIs. Now #2 has the heater load.

Wait for a trip again. If the tripping is still associated with the heater load, then the probability is high that the problem is from the heater load circuit.

Is there some sort of inductive kick, or is there really an intermittent leakage path? To sort this out may be difficult.

If you run this experiment, then tell us what happens.

.
 
gar said:
18051035 EDT

Tony Ledford:

Get two identical models of brand new Leviton GFCIs. The only reason for Leviton is that in the past I have run some experiments on their units.

Replace your present GFCI with one of these. The second GFCI is connected in parallel on the input side with the first. Possibly with leads as short as 1 ft. The second GFCI has no load. Then wait for one or both to trip.

Assume just the first one trips, call it #1. Interchange the two GFCIs. Now #2 has the heater load.

Wait for a trip again. If the tripping is still associated with the heater load, then the probability is high that the problem is from the heater load circuit.

Is there some sort of inductive kick, or is there really an intermittent leakage path? To sort this out may be difficult.

If you run this experiment, then tell us what happens.

.
Click to expand...
Not really following you experiment here but isn't the OP talking about the t-stat itself that has it's own gfi protection?
 
I way to make sure no issue with wiring or the heat mat is to use a insulation test meter Megohmmeter or Megger. Set using the max test voltage recommended by the manufacture of the heat cable/mat usually 1k or 2.5k.


If you install a lot of this you should have one. They can be pricey.
 
Tony Ledford said:
I have an electric floor warmingsystem. The thermostat has a 5mA GFCI and every other day the GFCI trips.
Click to expand...

Welcome to the Forum, Tony.

This is an INTEGRAL GFCI in the thermostat. It's not a Leviton. Forget the Leviton.

I agree that the resistance of the heating element needs to be tested according to the manufacturer's instructions. Google for the document.
 
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