GFI Problem

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ski62

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Was wondering if anyone has had this problem with a GFI and Ex-fan. I have vanity and ceiling light, the ex-fan over shower, all gfi protected but i have been getting a tripping from the fan, only when the switch if being turned off.

(Each opening has seperate 12-2 to them and seperate switch)

Now i have switched the fan, changed the outlet in the fan and changed the switch and GFI and tested the wire for continuity nothing seems wrong.

Ran the fan for 45 min and nothing tripped.

And here's the kicker it only happens now and then, like 1 out of 20 times if you hit the switch.

Ski62
 
It may be worth while to open up all the splices and use a regular ohmmeter from ground to neutral to see if it shows a connection.

I guess the next step might be to open up all the splices and use an insulation tester to see if you have a small / intermittent problem in the cables.
 
why only when it's get's turned off?

If i had a leak wouldn't it trip at any point? (running, turning it on)
 
ski62 said:
checked all joints
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I am not talking about the joints other than separating them to check for insulation damage or break down.

As you said you have replaced many other parts of the circuit conduor damage becomes on of the only things left.


ski62 said:
why only when it's get's turned off?
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I don't know.

If i had a leak wouldn't it trip at any point? (running, turning it on)
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If it's slight damage between the bare and the white it may only cause a trip once in a while.

A Mega meter would be able to detect this,

It also might be something else entirely.
 
ski62 said:
why only when it's get's turned off?
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Because it's a transient issue of some kind. The opening of the switch is causing a small surge that is being picked up by the electronics.
 
LarryFine said:
Because it's a transient issue of some kind. The opening of the switch is causing a small surge that is being picked up by the electronics.
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Would you care to expand on that?

The electronics do not actually monitor the circuit, the electronics monitor the coils in the GFCI so the only thing they can pick up is a current imbalance.
 
How big is the bathroom? The length of the conductors for the different switchlegs and the different runs you have installed will add together for a total length. The total length may create just enough leakage current, combined with the moisture in the bathroom, that you get these intermittent events.

or

Did you pay your GFCI bill last month? ;)
 
well the fact is that, it's a new house and really hasn't been used yet. I was just finishing up the bath when i turned of the switch to the fan it tripped, that's when i did everything i told you. I did amp probe the switch lag and gfi to see if there was a deflection in the current but nothing accured.
 
iwire said:
Don't many fans require it over a shower?

I don't really know but I thought that was the deal.
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I thought the same....I haven't found a reference to that...yet?
 
Most Exhust fans I install the manufacture requests that it be GFI protected if installed over a shower, But IMO I think not required if its just a FAN only... but just my 2 cents.,....
 
ski62 said:
sorry couldn't remember the code, and my book is in my van.
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Help us help you...here is the online version:
http://www.nfpa.org/freecodes/free_access_agreement.asp?id=7005SB



EDIT: to add...

410.04(A) is the closest I can come up with:

(A) Wet and Damp Locations.
Luminaires (fixtures) installed in wet or damp locations shall be installed so that water cannot enter or accumulate in wiring compartments, lampholders, or other electrical parts. All luminaires (fixtures) installed in wet locations shall be marked, “Suitable for Wet Locations.” All luminaires (fixtures) installed in damp locations shall be marked, “Suitable for Wet Locations” or “Suitable for Damp Locations.”
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...and it doesn't say "fan".
 
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It is a fact that some shaded pole motors will intermittantly trip GFCI's and AFCI's. It has never been clear to me exactly why, but this is fact. Paddle fans, kitchen exhaust fans, and bath exhaust fans are popular offenders. Changing either the GFCI, the fan motor, or both, is the typical corrective action. (That is, of course, when megger checks of the circuit conductors have ruled everything else out).
 
In my experience, some ex-fans and fal/light combos have instuctions that require gfci protection when over a tub or shower. I usually have no problem with it. I must admit, I've never seen one trip when being turned OFF
 
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