I have a customer that has a spa that keeps tripping the 60a GFCI breaker. I tried to isolate the problem and removed the load side conductors completely and the breaker still trips when I try to reset. It probably is a bad breaker but I wondered if there may be something else to look at. Expensve breaker to do trial and error on. Breaker will reset with no line side power.
GFI breaker??
- Thread starter shelco
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Re: GFI breaker??
This is an install that was done 1 1/2 years ago and has been working up til this point.
Will a gfi trip if there is a line side fault?
I should know this but it has never come up.
Side note: The install was done by a builder and was not done to code ( the only thing right was the gfi) so I will be redoing it anyway. I just don't want to replace the breaker if I don't have to.
Thanks
This is an install that was done 1 1/2 years ago and has been working up til this point.
Will a gfi trip if there is a line side fault?
I should know this but it has never come up.
Side note: The install was done by a builder and was not done to code ( the only thing right was the gfi) so I will be redoing it anyway. I just don't want to replace the breaker if I don't have to.
Thanks
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
Re: GFI breaker??
If the breaker trips with all of the load side conductors (including the load neutral) removed it is a bad breaker. The breaker does not look at anything on the line side.
GFIs will fail. This is why they must be tested regularly.
If the breaker trips with all of the load side conductors (including the load neutral) removed it is a bad breaker. The breaker does not look at anything on the line side.
GFIs will fail. This is why they must be tested regularly.
rcarroll
Senior Member
- Location
- Fort Collins, Colorado
Re: GFI breaker??
I agree with Jim & Steve. I also believe that replacing the breaker would be worth your piece of mind no matter the cost.
I agree with Jim & Steve. I also believe that replacing the breaker would be worth your piece of mind no matter the cost.
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: GFI breaker??
Only other thing you might be able to do is try it in another panel at your shop.If the voltages are correct on the input and you removed the 3 connections from load side (2 hots,1 neutral)and the white wire from the breaker is on the neutral bar in the panel then i would say breaker needs replaced.
Only other thing you might be able to do is try it in another panel at your shop.If the voltages are correct on the input and you removed the 3 connections from load side (2 hots,1 neutral)and the white wire from the breaker is on the neutral bar in the panel then i would say breaker needs replaced.
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
Re: GFI breaker??
Line (input) voltages have nothing to do with causing a GFCI to nuisance trip.
If the line to neutral voltage is not high enough (probably about 65% of nominal) the breaker may not trip. If the voltage is too high it would be possible to destroy the electronics which also would probably prevent a trip.
How many man/hours are you going to waste when the only possible test is to replace the breaker with a known good one, and then install the questionable breaker into a know good circuit?
Line (input) voltages have nothing to do with causing a GFCI to nuisance trip.
If the line to neutral voltage is not high enough (probably about 65% of nominal) the breaker may not trip. If the voltage is too high it would be possible to destroy the electronics which also would probably prevent a trip.
How many man/hours are you going to waste when the only possible test is to replace the breaker with a known good one, and then install the questionable breaker into a know good circuit?
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