"Smitty Two" wrote in message
news
In article ,
Wayne Whitney wrote:

On 2009-09-10, Steve Barker wrote:

Washers should not be on a gfci. Actually, nothing with a motor
should be.

This is out of date information. If a non-defective GFCI trips, it
is because there is over 5ma of current imbalance between the hot and
neutral conductors. Any appliance should have way less than 5ma of
leakage from hot to ground, even motors. If an appliance has over
5ma of leakage current, it's defective. For example, the motor
winding insulation may be degraded, so that on startup (when current
is highest), the leakge current exceeds 5ma.

Cheers, Wayne

What are the chances that an older motor on a washing machine or
fridge could have another ten years of robust life on it, but still
have a trickle of leakage current? I'd not replace an appliance motor
just to satisfy some pesky device.

They aren't "pesky" devices. Their main purpose is to protect life &
limb. Their trip currents are set to be so that the time it imbalance
exists and the magnitude are below the danger point for humans "in
general". So if it's tripping a GFI there is a very likely chance that
you have a dangerous situation there. Is the washing machine near the
dryer or any water pipes that are at earth ground? That would be an
easy place to get, say, between the two cases, one live and one not,
still being grounded, or the washer and the metal pipes to it.
Or maybe the pipes are where it's getting its ground? Disconnect to
work on the plumbing and ... zzzaapp!!

If you're sure it's the motor, I'd change it. Still cheaper than
another washer. You really should look into that if it happens to you.

HTH,

Twayne`