GFCI Nuisance Tripping...

[kwired]

A failed/partially failed defrost heater could be a reason to only trip on occasion.

A failed compressor winding likely trips at least when it is called upon to run.

 

[flatlander]

A failed/partially failed defrost heater could be a reason to only trip on occasion.

A failed compressor winding likely trips at least when it is called upon to run.

Easy enough to figure that one. Just turn the defrost timer till activated and see if trips.

 

[tom baker]

The UL product standard for refrigerators changed perhaps ten years ago, max leakage went to 0.5 mA. With that, the NEC exception for non GFCI receptacles went away.

 

[Jraef]

Well gee, if you isolate the load electrically with an isolation transformer from the GFCI source now it just sees the isolation transformer not the actual load. Now the load is not GFCI protected as required. Or am I misunderstanding you?

I'm not advocating violation of the NEC here, I just think there is an ambiguity involved. Does the NEC actually require that the LOAD be GFCI protected?

210.8 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for Personnel.
(A) Dwelling Units. All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in the locations specified in
21 O.S(A)(I) through (10) shall have ground-fault circuit interrupter protection for personnel.
(1) Bathrooms
(2) Garages, and also accessory buildings that have a
floor located at or below grade level not intended as
habitable rooms and limited to storage areas, work
areas, and areas of similar use
(3) Outdoors
...

So the NEC is saying that the RECEPTACLE in the garage must be GFCI, hence the problem for the old beer fridge that is tripping it because, apparently, it was made before the new standards for lower leakage. So isolating it with the isolation transformer is IMHO not violating the actual wording of the NEC, because the wording only says the RECEPTACLE needs to have it, and it does.

I might also raise this for consideration;

...
(6) Kitchens - where the receptacles are installed to
serve the countertop surfaces

So they are indirectly saying that the receptacle for a refrigerator in a KITCHEN, if not intended to serve a countertop area, is OK not being GFCI protected. One COULD make an argument that a refrigerator plugged into the garage is the same thing, provided I suppose that the receptacle is not accessible to potentially wet areas. I know the NEC doesn't say this, but from the standpoint of ACTUAL risk, I say it is equivalent.

 

[tom baker]

That sounds very much like an argument Charlie B might put forward based on logic.

 

[kwired]

Is the old beer fridge in the garage worth the cost of an isolation transformer, plus the wasted energy compared to newer more efficient units made today?

 

[ptonsparky]

The other small detail is that most mfgs do not recommend placing a refrigerator in temperatures below 50 degrees. Besides good beer is better warm.

 

[PaulMmn]

The other small detail is that most mfgs do not recommend placing a refrigerator in temperatures below 50 degrees. Besides good beer is better warm.

...and placing a refrigerator in a Summertime roasting hot garage means more work trying to pump heat in the refrig' all that farther up hill!

 

[mlnk]

If you are in California, your problem is solved,
No GFCI required for refrigeration equipment plugged into a receptacle which is behind the refrig and therefore not readily accessible to the countertop. This would include a refrigerator undercounter unit and a wine refrigerator. This is per CEC 2016.
No GFCI required for refrigeration equipment in Garage if it has a single outlet (not a duplex). per CEC 2016.

 

[kwired]

If you are in California, your problem is solved,
No GFCI required for refrigeration equipment plugged into a receptacle which is behind the refrig and therefore not readily accessible to the countertop. This would include a refrigerator undercounter unit and a wine refrigerator. This is per CEC 2016.

NEC doesn't require GFCI there either, unless the receptacle is within six feet of the sink.

 

[Frank DuVal]

When I placed my 1947 GE fridge (parents bought it new) in my garage and plugged it into the GFI, it would trip now and then. Sometimes every day. This is a two wire cord appliance. I tried the two possible plug orientations several times. Over the years it tripped less and less, to now running for a year or more... Still going keeping water and drinks cold.

72 years!

The GFI tripping turned it into an automatic defrost refrigerator! A feature, not a problem, they say.

I installed a new gasket so it didn't run so much, maybe that was the cure for the GFI tripping? Company in California custom made the gasket for ~ $50. I found a few shims under the original gasket. Yep, had to reinstall them with the new gasket to seal! Dollar bill test for fit.

 

[ramsy]

..No GFCI required for refrigeration equipment in Garage if it has a single outlet (not a duplex). per CEC 2016.

You have a code section or amendment for that?