grounded breaker popping

[paulmars]

I bought a used frig. it worked for a few days, now it keep popping the 20a breaker. If I disconnect the ground, it then works fine. I even trued a completely different circuit and again it pops in a few seconds, but if I disconnect the 3rd wire ground, it then works fine.

ideas?

tks,
pa

 

[petersonra]

I bought a used frig. it worked for a few days, now it keep popping the 20a breaker. If I disconnect the ground, it then works fine. I even trued a completely different circuit and again it pops in a few seconds, but if I disconnect the 3rd wire ground, it then works fine.

ideas?

tks,
pa

If by "disconnect the ground" you mean that you snipped off the ground pin on the refrigerator plug or in some other way removed the ground connection, than you have circumvented the most basic electrical safety feature.

My guess is you have an intermittent short from the incoming power to the metal of your refrigerator. The CB is protecting you from electrocution by tripping, which is exactly what it is supposed to do.

You may have discovered why the refrigerator came on the market. I would just take it back if you can. It is probably not worth having it fixed.

 

[iwire]

Disconnecting the grounding conductor is going to get someone killed. Stop what you are doing and get a qualified person involved.

Looking at your profile indicates you are not an electrician, with that being the case I am closing this thread, in accordance with the Forum Rules.

This site is designed for:

• Contractors
• Electricians
• Engineers
• Inspectors
• Instructors
• Other electrically related individuals

* This NEC? Forum is for those in the electrical and related industries. Questions of a "How-To" nature by persons not involved in the electrical industry will be removed without notice.