"bud--" wrote in message
...
ransley wrote:
On Oct 15, 1:18 am, "Robert Green" wrote:
I've had a GFCI outlet that powers a refrigerator and some kitchen and
basement outlets trip twice within the last year. I've reset it after
each
trip and it seems to go another six months before it trips again.

What's the best way to determine if this is just a random event or
whether
the GFCI is pointing toward a potential shock hazard?

--
Bobby G.

Gfci are not for a frige, if they trip the food is ruined, mine
tripped I removed it.

Commercial kitchens require plug-in refrigeration (15/20A 120V) to be
GFCI protected.

The exceptions to GFCI requirements that were in the NEC have virtually
all been removed. That includes a garage receptacle behind a refrigerator.

The arguments we
"The permitted leakage current for typical cord and plug connected
equipment is 0.5 ma. The trip range for GFCI protective devices is 4-6
ma. For this utilization equipment to trip the GFCI device, it would
have 8 to 12 times the leakage current permitted by the product standard."
"The present generation of GFCI devices do not have the problems of
'nuisance tripping' that plagued the earlier devices."

RBM and John have good advice.

--
bud--

Sorry I missed this and a few others on the first read through. New
newserver.

That's a good point about current leakage rates. If the unit still trips
with nothing else on the circuit AND a new model GFCI in place, then I am
going to begin checking out the refrigerator with an ammeter* to see if
there really is a current leak. At that point I'd be willing to believe
it's not simply a nuisance trip, but an indication of a problem. Hopefully
I'll remember to switch the fridge to a non-GFCI outlet when we're away. If
there's a ground fault when no one is home, that's not as bad as a meltdown
of all our food.

*(Why that spelling and not ampmeter, I've always wondered?)

--
Bobby G.