Independent circuits tripping sequentially

[Flyingpiggy]

I just remodelled my kitchen and installed all new circuits using a new subpanel. My disposal frequently tripped the AFCI breaker.

Two observations:
1. If I did not turn off the disposal and turned the breaker back on. It would immediately trip again. However usually after a day it would start to function normally for a while.

2. Whenever the disposal tripped my dishwasher and microwave would also immediately trip if I tried to use them which I don’t understand because they all are on individual circuits.

Judging from 2 ChatGPT suggests it might be a loose neutral on certain circuit. They claim that a loose neutral would impact other independent circuits under the same panel. Is that right?


I have hired more than three electricians to look into this and already spent ~$1000 but all they wanted to do was ask me to switch out the AFCI to a normal one without a thorough inspection. I mean it’s possible that occasionally one AFCI can be too sensitive but three together on brand new circuits??

Also I do think observation 2 is suggesting that there must be sth wrong with the wiring…

 

[infinity]

Are you planning on repairing this yourself or will you try to hire another electrician? The original electrician who wired this cannot fix the problem?

 

[ptonsparky]

Hire one electrician.
Each new one will need to repeat what the others have done.
From here we can only assume everything all the way back to the Service Entrance is installed correctly.

Some newer AFCIs will have on board diagnostics. What do they indicate?

 

[JimCrickets]

Curious, I know AFCI's can be sensitive but I wouldn't think 1 loose neutral would trip multiple breakers.
Have you checked to see whether the bonding jumper/screw is installed on the neutral bus? Panels usually come with them included and unfortunately I've seen too many times where they've been tightened down rather than removed as should be the case in the event of using the panel as a subpanel. Could be sending voltage back to the ground bus which AFCI and GFCI breakers wouldn't like very much.

 

[ModbusMan]

Curious, I know AFCI's can be sensitive but I wouldn't think 1 loose neutral would trip multiple breakers.

Depending on the nature and strength of the fault, AFCIs sometimes even trip because tree branches are contacting the overhead lines in the back yard.

 

[ptonsparky]

Depending on the nature and strength of the fault, AFCIs sometimes even trip because tree branches are contacting the overhead lines in the back yard.

Trim the branches then!

 

[ModbusMan]

Trim the branches then!

Umm... yeah... me and the bucket truck will be right out there to clear the branches from those pesky medium voltage lines

 

[Little Bill]

An electrician needs to be called on this. We can't help with DIY by a non electrician.