GFCI Tripping

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RNLENI

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Dear All,

I have two separate GFCI Outlets (Two Phoenix contact Part#5602519) in my Network cabinet. Both of them feeds Eaton UPS Downstream (One outlet feeds one UPS) . And the UPS Feeds Network switches and the Network PC.

During power outage the batteries will die and cabinet powers off. During this event one of the GFCI trips. Each time the power is back, the network cabinet is Off and we need to reset one of the GFCI Outlets . Same outlet trips all the time . Not sure the GFCI trips when the battery dies or when the power is back.

Does inrush current of UPS (overload ) trips GFCI outlet? or is there a chance of variation if current flowing through Hot and neural conductors going to the UPS or downstream that causes the GFCI trips. The second GFCI is just a redundant circuit with less load. That GFCI doesn't trip.

My Circuit is 115VAC. 3 Conductors - hot, neutral and ground

Why is one GFCI Tripping? If any info please help
 
Can you turn the circuit OFF and watch what happens to see if GFCI trips when the battery dies or if it does it when power is restored?
Kinda makes me wonder if it occurs when the UPS switches to battery power and there is some very brief moment that while starting to create 120 volts it’s backfeeding the line side.
The GFCI should not care about inrush current.
 
I tried switching off and on the circuit breaker upstream. GFCI didn't trip .But can't wait till the battery dies as this is in a running facility.
This happens in another facilities also. I believe the same way as you think- some kind of interference from the UPS.
Any idea how to eliminate the back feed (if there is)
 
synchro said:
Can you put the UPS upstream of the GFCI outlet?
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Why are you using a GFCI receptacle to begin with? You don't need it.

All UPSs include surge protection. You don't want to power a surge protected device with a GFCI. That includes power strips, etc. What happens is that the surge protection will kick in on normal random power spikes, shunting the voltage to ground. That current to ground will be detected by the GFCI which considers it a ground fault so it will trip. Apparently when your power restores there is a spike (kind of expected) which the surge protection catches and the GFCI trips.

-Hal
 
hbiss said:
Why are you using a GFCI receptacle to begin with? You don't need it.

All UPSs include surge protection. You don't want to power a surge protected device with a GFCI. That includes power strips, etc. What happens is that the surge protection will kick in on normal random power spikes, shunting the voltage to ground. That current to ground will be detected by the GFCI which considers it a ground fault so it will trip. Apparently when your power restores there is a spike (kind of expected) which the surge protection catches and the GFCI trips.

-Hal
Click to expand...
As simple as that.
 
I have seen circuits with multiple GFCI receptacles installed incorrectly. If you use a GFCI receptacle at every receptacle outlet on the the circuit, all conductors, grounded and ungrounded, should be installed on the LINE side of the devices. Installing a GFCI receptacle where its fed from the load side of another GFCI receptacle will sometimes cause a nuisance trip. I would check for that also.
 
Rick 0920 said:
I have seen circuits with multiple GFCI receptacles installed incorrectly. If you use a GFCI receptacle at every receptacle outlet on the the circuit, all conductors, grounded and ungrounded, should be installed on the LINE side of the devices. Installing a GFCI receptacle where its fed from the load side of another GFCI receptacle will sometimes cause a nuisance trip. I would check for that also.
Click to expand...
At the very least it's a horse race to see which one trips first.
 
You could swap the two and see if the issue follows the UPS or if it stays with the same GFCI....or you could just delete the GFCI since you really don't need it as mentioned.
 
4x4dually said:
You could swap the two and see if the issue follows the UPS or if it stays with the same GFCI....or you could just delete the GFCI since you really don't need it as mentioned.
Click to expand...

Yes. I did swap the GFCI. But the tripping happens in the same circuit. That means swapped GFCI is tripping. I think some issue from UPS in that circuit. But the identical redundant circuit also have UPS with less load. Not sure why that GFCI is not tripping. That's what confuses me
 
It isn't by chance a GFCI that is supposed to be reset every time it is energized? There are some of those out there and I believe is a requirement to use them for portable applications like an extension cord or power strip type assembly. Hard wired premises wiring types don't have to have this feature. Basically they trip when power is lost and you must have power before you can reset it, this protects you in said extension cord/power strip situations from having a lost supply conductor contributing to not having effective GF protection.
 
Thank you All ! All your answers are correct.
I talked to UPS Manufacturer (EATON) and they told we cannot have a GFCI upstream their UPS as the leakage current will trip the GFCI.
I am planning to install the same type of outlet without GFCI. Wiring UPS Cable directly to breaker is not an option as I want to cut the plug of the UPS Cable and that will affect the warranty of the UPS.

Now the question is - Is there any code that says the Outlets that's installed inside a network cabinet need to be GFCI?

I am planning to use Outlet without GFCI . But wanted to confirm the above. Any code specialist here?
 
Thank you very much! I am planning to replace with normal receptacle (without GFCI) .
But NFPA 15.1.2 Says that the receptacle need to be GFCI if maintenance personal is accessing. Does this apply for Network cabinet? I hope people will access network cabinet while running. May be to check connectivity issues, trouble shooting etc.
Sorry If I am wrong
 

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Besides, the receptacle you are putting in is ONLY for powering the UPS, not for service people to plug into, correct? If not, just make it that way and if there is only one UPS per receptacle, don't use a duplex receptacle, then if service people need another outlet in the panel for test equipment, give them a GFCI outlet just for that.
 
Jraef said:
Besides, the receptacle you are putting in is ONLY for powering the UPS, not for service people to plug into, correct? If not, just make it that way and if there is only one UPS per receptacle, don't use a duplex receptacle, then if service people need another outlet in the panel for test equipment, give them a GFCI outlet just for that.
Click to expand...
Thanks ! Yes. This is only for UPS
 
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