GFI recep with GFI cords? Unmixy?

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J.P.

J.P.

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I put in a GFI in a shop.
The customer plugged in a pop machine with a GFI built into the cord.

GFI recep, trip, trip, trip, trip.

Install new GFI recep trip, trip trip :(

Install regular recep, pop machine runs :)

Any guesses?

I think it's because GFI"S hate me..........
 
That should not happen, current has to be leaking somewhere it shouldn't be going to make your receptacle trip.

If the fault is on the load side of the in line GFCI then that GFCI maybe is defective, does it trip when pressing it's test button? That is a start in troubleshooting anyway.
 
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ActionDave said:
I don't think your GFI hates you, I think you have a problem with the wiring to it, bootleg neutral or bad insulation are two quick guesses. The pop machine GFI would never see anything on its line side.
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GFCI can not tell if it has a boot leg neutral on it's supply side. Correct line/load connections on the GFCI could be a problem or a bootleg neutral on load side if there are other conductors connected to the load side of the GFCI. This would usually result in instant tripping of the GFCI though and not depend on there being any load connected.
 
I pulled the wire myself. It is a new shop.
The GFI worked fine until they plugged in the pop machine......

I was thinking the GFI cord and the GFI recep weren't playing well together.

But as far as the GFI being Hooked up wrong? I don't think so Gordy!
 
J.P. said:
I pulled the wire myself. It is a new shop.
The GFI worked fine until they plugged in the pop machine......

I was thinking the GFI cord and the GFI recep weren't playing well together.

But as far as the GFI being Hooked up wrong? I don't think so Gordy!
Click to expand...

Well here is the thing, you should be able to plug 75 GFCIs in row and they won't trip.

Something is wrong with the popcorn machine.
 
kwired said:
That should not happen, current has to be leaking somewhere it shouldn't be going to make your receptacle trip.

If the fault is on the load side of the in line GFCI then that GFCI maybe is defective, does it trip when pressing it's test button? That is a start in troubleshooting anyway.
Click to expand...

Both GFI's I tried tested normally. With the button and an actual tester.

It is the addition of the pop machine that makes it trip. Other loads seemed fine.

The pop machine will operate normally on a regular recep.

Maybe it's the lighting in the case? Lights and regular gfis often don't get along.
 
J.P. said:
Both GFI's I tried tested normally. With the button and an actual tester.

It is the addition of the pop machine that makes it trip. Other loads seemed fine.

The pop machine will operate normally on a regular recep.

Maybe it's the lighting in the case? Lights and regular gfis often don't get along.
Click to expand...


Plug in pop machine into regular receptacle then trip the GFI on its cord then remove from receptacle and test for continuity between neutral and ground on cord cap. This is the only reason I can see your GFCI at the wall tripping. The cord may be pinched/faulty in the clamp of the cord mounted GFI or MOV in cord mounted GFI could be bad( I have seen this before) GFCI's aren't performing magic or playing with each other so as stated before you can daisy chain them all day long and should not have a problem.
 
J.P. said:
Maybe it's the lighting in the case? Lights and regular gfis often don't get along.
Click to expand...

What do you mean lights and GFCIs don't get along?

You seem to have some misconceptions about GFCIs.

Somewhere, in the popcorn machine between your GFCI and the built in GFCI is a ground fault.
 
iwire said:
What do you mean lights and GFCIs don't get along?

You seem to have some misconceptions about GFCIs.

Somewhere, in the popcorn machine between your GFCI and the built in GFCI is a ground fault.
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I think he has a soda (pop) vending machine and not a "popcorn machine" not that it really should matter much.
 
Please describe this machine. You're saying "pop machine" and others are saying "popcorn".

Is this a soda fountain with a compressor? (like for Coke or Pepsi)
Is it a lighted glass door refrigerator?
Is it a popcorn cooker?
 
mgookin said:
Please describe this machine. You're saying "pop machine" and others are saying "popcorn".

Is this a soda fountain with a compressor? (like for Coke or Pepsi)
Is it a lighted glass door refrigerator?
Is it a popcorn cooker?
Click to expand...

My guess is if it has a GFCI in the cord it is likely a "vending machine" - and probably for soft drinks.

Soda fountain is not a "vending machine" and wouldn't necessarily be required to have GFCI in the cord.
 
The cord end GFCI is wired incorrectly with ECG and neutral reversed. To test, use a 2 wire extension cord with a non protected receptacle and see if it runs.
 
It is a pop/soda/carbonated drink/soft drink machine. Coke to be exact....It may be that it will contain a variety of coke products:)

I could check the cord I guess, I may get with the vendor. I bet they service their own machines.


The lighting and GFI not getting along I was referring to is how florescent ballast seem to trip gfis. There is lighting in the door like all pop machines have. Maybe its florescent?
Maybe the gfi they build into those cords are a different spec than the Pass and Seymour ones I buy and don't trip as easy?
Maybe the tooth fairy is pushing the test button for fun?

I have a 8' strip in my little storage shed that trips my gfi out there about half the time after I plug it in. Reset it and your good to go.....until next time. It handles the shop vac and other stuff just fine.
 
Does the "pop machine" trip the GFCI as soon as you plug it in, or does it work ok for a while and then trip it?
 
GeorgeB said:
The cord end GFCI is wired incorrectly with ECG and neutral reversed. To test, use a 2 wire extension cord with a non protected receptacle and see if it runs.
Click to expand...
Or clamp meter around the EGC, with it loaded enough to know you will have a valid reading.
 
GerryB said:
When you say "shop" is a GFI required? If you ran the wire can you just put a single receptacle and be done with it.
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If it is a vending machine, GFCI is required no matter where they are located, It can be in the attachment plug or within 12 inches of the attachment plug, see 422.51. If the receptacle is located in a place where GFCI is otherwise required - there no longer is any "dedicated outlet" exemptions, and has not been since 2005 NEC.
 
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