two gfci's in circuit?

[Uffdanow00]

I do maintenance and hvac on a campus. I was called to look at a small ice machine that was not working. There is a gfci outlet behind the machine that has been tripping. There is also a gfci at the main panel. Can it be problematic to have two gfci s in one circuit? Is there any benefit?

The manual for the machine says to not put it on a gfci outlet because it can cause nuisance trips. The outlet though is less than six feet from a sink. I recommended moving the ice machine which the person that resides there was opposed to. If there is a gfci at the breaker, can the other be replaced with a non gfci outlet?

There is also a garbage disposal in the same circuit. While the instructions dont recommend dedicated circuits for either, I thought it was common practice to isolate them. Perhaps this just depends on the equipment and situation. Any insight is appreciated. Thank you!

 

[growler]

If the circuit is GFCI protected at the panel then that's all that's required.

The ice machine may trip this GFCI breaker or it may not.

 

[growler]

There is also a garbage disposal in the same circuit. While the instructions dont recommend dedicated circuits for either, I thought it was common practice to isolate them.

I would assume that the ice machine is the bigger load. What is the load ?
Is the circuit 15 or 20 amp. Is the load of the Ice machine over half of the circuit size?








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[infinity]

Two GFCI's on the same circuit should not be a problem. Since there is a GFCI circuit breaker just change the receptacle to a non-GFCI type.

 

[MAC702]

Two GFCI's on the same circuit should not be a problem. Since there is a GFCI circuit breaker just change the receptacle to a non-GFCI type.

This. Though you may still have nuisance tripping at the breaker instead now, just like the manufacturer warned. Previously, the receptacle was just tripping first, and saving the breaker from the bother.

Fortunately, it's just an ice machine, but a bothersome nuisance when you want ice and don't have it.

 

[charlie b]

Here's the real issue:

The manual for the machine says to not put it on a gfci outlet because it can cause nuisance trips.

No it can't! If there are trips, then yes that would be a nuisance. But if a piece of equipment causes a GFCI to trip, it is a very good bet that there is a problem with the equipment, and that the GFCI is correctly doing its job. So it's not a "nuisance trip," but rather a "valid trip" on a real electrical failure. So go deal with the nuisance by fixing the equipment.

 

[MAC702]

Actually, first, what EXACTLY does the manual say, word for word?

Does it recommend not being on a GFCI "because it can cause nuisance trips" or "in case of nuisance trips?"

 

[oldsparky52]

Here's the real issue:No it can't! If there are trips, then yes that would be a nuisance. But if a piece of equipment causes a GFCI to trip, it is a very good bet that there is a problem with the equipment, and that the GFCI is correctly doing its job. So it's not a "nuisance trip," but rather a "valid trip" on a real electrical failure. So go deal with the nuisance by fixing the equipment.

:thumbsup:

+1

 

[Uffdanow00]

Manual says connect to a grounded and polarized 115 vac, 60 hz, 15 a circuit (which it is now)

Also says avoid connecting the unit to a ground fault interrupter. gfi are prone to nuisance tripping which will cause the unit to shut down.

Other matters took precedence over trying to find an intermittent issue with the equipment. I will be more thorough if I get called back.

I think the compressor showed 4 amps, didnt show startup amps that I saw. I appreciate the comments, thank you

 

[charlie b]

I am curious as to how old that manual (and of course the machine) might be. We haven't called circuits "115 volt" for some time. I get that many things that get power from our 120V circuits are themselves rated at 115V. But it might be something else.