Gfci tripping

coreyeskew

Member
Location
Florida
Occupation
Electrician
Is anyone having problems with gfci breaker for the range tripping? I have wired several new homes and they work for awhile and then start tripping randomly. Really becoming annoying.
 
Since they are working for a while I'm sure the bonding strap for a nema 10 installation is removed, but perhaps if it was left in the range under the neutral screw it could have moved over time contacted the back panel? Given that you say this is happening to several I would think this is unlikely.

Otherwise, I have heard of moisture causing ground fault issues before, but not sure if that is something that would appear over time.

Is the tripping while using the oven or while using the stove?
 
I wouldn't think that moisture would be the issue since it is inside in a conditioned space. I made sure that the bonding jumper has been removed. I have replaced several, haven't had any problems with most but just had one start tripping again after replacing it maybe six months ago.
 
It has been said that moisture gets in the appliance by sitting either on the boat, or dock. It has been suggested to take out the GFCI and put in a regular breaker and turn the stove on with all elements on high fro maybe 30 mins. Supposedly that will dry it out. After the drying period, put the GFCI back in and test.
 
This was discussed in a recent code class I went to and yes moisture in the heating element is a real thing. This was a major discussion. The stove MFGs know this is an issue and are supposed to be working on this issue. Letting them cook is supposed to help.

I am in MA. and what MA has done if you get a tripping GFCI on a range or an AC condenser is fill out some paperwork and send it to the state and they will allow a standard breaker to be used. This has a sunset date in MA of 1/1/29 ??? I think because they expect the mfgs to have the problem solved by then
 
I wouldn't think that moisture would be the issue since it is inside in a conditioned space.
There are cases of the moisture in the calrod heating elements not being completely dried out in the manufacturing process, and this results in leakage current that is detected by the GFCI. If this is the case, you can use a standard breaker and run all of the elements on high for 30-45 minutes to complete the drying process and then install the GFCI breaker. This issue normally occurs when you first turn on the stove. It it is happening after the stove has been in use for awhile, it is probably something else.
 
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