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Kevin Ricks
 
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Default GFCI outlet for radial arm saw


wrote in message
oups.com...
In my garage I have a 20 Amp circuit which has two 15 amp GFCI outlets.
On this same circuit these are also two GFCI's in the kitchen and
another in a bathroom. My problem is that I have a radial arm saw
which apparently draws too much current in starting up resulting a
tripped GFCI and i can't run the saw. The book that came with the saw
says that there should be "a time delay 15 amp circuit breaker
installed." I'm not sure that GFCI outlets were installed when this
saw was made. An inquiry at an electric supply store resulted in the
information that there is no such thing as a time delay GFCI." My
question is, since it is a 20 amp circuit can I replace the 15 amp GFCI
with a 20 amp one, and will this solve the problem of starting the saw
motor?


I think you are a bit confused here about the function of a GFCI. A GFCI
tripping has nothing to do with how many amps are being used on the circuit.
That is what the breaker in your main panel is for.

The GFCI will only detect a current imbalance between hot and neutral.
If some current is going somewhere else like through you to ground then the
GFCI trips.

It is not uncommon for GFCI's to false trip with large motors or compressors
in things like power tools, large appliances etc. This is why code allows
you to put your refrigerator on a non GFCI outlet.
Some GFCI's brands/models are worse than others at false trips. If your
GFCI's are pretty old then try replacing the one you use for the power saw
with a new one and see if that helps.

It may be the power saw that has the problem The tool may be defective. But
some older tools just won't work on a GFCI.

Using a 20 amp GFCI will not make a difference. The 20 amp rating is only
the configuration of the plug that the outlet will accept. If you don't
have any 20 amp appliances with the one horizontal blade | -- then it does
not matter. I think all GFCI's are made to feed thru 20 amps in the wires.
The 15 amp version will not accept a 20 amp plug, which is pretty rare to
have in the home.

If the breaker in your panel is not tripping then I would just leave it
alone. If you do replace it don't change the 20 to a 15 just because the
power saw manual specified that. That is a min. spec. If you must replace it
then get a 20 amp if that is what you have.

You would be better off running a dedicated circuit to your garage.
Newer construction would have 3 dedicated circuits min. where you have only
one. (one to bath, one + to kitchen, one to garage). However a dedicated
circuit may not help the GFCI tripping unless other items plugged into the
same circuit are contributing to the problem.

Kevin