free refrigerators ain't free

Serious One · 08-25-2007, 09:35 PM

So my neighbor remodels her kitchen...I've given her husband a few prints over the years and our families are really good friends.

She decides to get new appliances, including a refrigerator, so we end up taking her old one home and putting it in the garage.

It's worked perfectly at her home for the past 15+ years, but when I get it home it trips my GFI outlet in my garage every time.

I head to Home Depot, spend $95 on wire, gang boxes, switches, and oh yeah, a GFI outlet to replace the one in my garage...just in case.

The 'extra' stuff is for my downstairs project.

I proceed to replace said outlet, plug in the 'fridge, and yep, it trips the GFI again. I run an extension cord into the house, it trips the GFI in the bathroom too.

Now I'm starting to think it's the fridge's fault and not the house/wiring/plugs.

We didn't tip the fridge on it's side, only had a couple of large-ish bangs when getting it out of the house, but all-in-all we managed to get it out and to my place pretty smoothly. We didn't bang it up enough for us to mangle any wires (or at least I don't think we did).

Trying to figger out what's up with this fridge.

Travis Waldher · 08-25-2007, 09:39 PM

Does it trip a non-gfi breaker?

Found a hint at the problem I was thinking it might be.
http://www.fridgedoctor.com/frequent...i-breaker.html
http://www.inspectionnews.net/home_i...i-circuit.html

cybergeek23851 · 08-25-2007, 09:44 PM

Mike, are you plugging it into a GFI outlet?

If so, don't. It's a motor load, and the inrush of amperage at startup, trips the outlet, thinking there is a ground fault.

Chris · 08-25-2007, 10:34 PM

Yep, fridges should not be plugged into gfi's. A few years back the NEC had an exception that said any dedicated outlet(fridge, washer) in a garage did not have to be gfi'd.

cybergeek23851 · 08-25-2007, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

Yep, fridges should not be plugged into gfi's. A few years back the NEC had an exception that said any dedicated outlet(fridge, washer) in a garage did not have to be gfi'd.

I'm still looking in my code book for it, too.

Motornoggin · 08-25-2007, 10:42 PM

I have an old freezer plugged into a GFI and it is fine.

Pazuzu · 08-25-2007, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motornoggin

I have an old freezer plugged into a GFI and it is fine.

Old as in, "uses big hunks of ice to keep stuff cold" old? That might be why the GFCI doesn't trip...

f250crawler · 08-25-2007, 11:58 PM

It probably doesn't have a capacitor if its tripping it...

FullsizeYota · 08-26-2007, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f250crawler

It probably doesn't have a capacitor if its tripping it...

your a capacitor

i kill me :blacklmao:

f250crawler · 08-26-2007, 12:24 AM

Wow you guys found a way to make a smiley annoying after only two days.

the Merg · 08-26-2007, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f250crawler

Wow you guys found a way to make a smiley annoying after only two days.

Piggy killed it as soon as it appeared. I fawkin hate that thing.

f250crawler · 08-26-2007, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Merg

Piggy killed it as soon as it appeared. I fawkin hate that thing.

And they moved

off the quick smiley menu...

vetteboy79 · 08-26-2007, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f250crawler

And they moved

off the quick smiley menu...

Honesty, I can type : flipoff2 : faster than I can break my train of thought to go move a mouse over and find the damn thing.

ironpig70 · 08-26-2007, 01:58 AM

and don't forget it's not very energy efficent

trampas · 08-26-2007, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ironpig70

and don't forget it's not very energy efficent

your use of that ghey fucking smilie you mean?

show you right

ironpig70 · 08-26-2007, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trampas

your use of that ghey fucking smilie you mean?

show you right

wireman · 08-26-2007, 02:50 AM

Here is the NEC exception.

The following exceptions can apply concerning your GFI protection of receptacles in an attached garage, if these attached garage receptacles meet the requirements of these exceptions. If a duplex receptacle is located behind a large appliance such as a refrigerator, freezer, washer, dryer etc., making the duplex receptacle “not to be readily accessible”, and if this duplex receptacle is located behind the large appliance, then the GFI protection is not required to protect that non-readily accessible receptacle that is serving that appliance and located behind that appliance. NEC Article 210.8.A.Exception.1 If a receptacle serving a large appliance is located so that it is not located behind the large appliances in a manner so that it “is readily accessible” then that receptacle that is serving that appliance but is not installed behind that appliance must be a single receptacle and not a duplex receptacle. If this receptacle serving that appliance is a single receptacle and not a duplex receptacle then this single receptacle can still be without GFCI protection.

08-26-2007, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Merg

Piggy killed it as soon as it appeared. I fawkin hate that thing.

I hate piggy period.

Little Jeep · 08-26-2007, 07:03 AM

Wow, you guys have code that calls for GFI's everywhere except where the location allows for an exception. Here only bathrooms and electric outlets for example at the kitchen sink are GFI protected.

Roxywheels · 08-26-2007, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottFJ40 V2.0

I hate piggy period.

x2

08-26-2007, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roxywheels

x2

^5!

Serious One · 08-26-2007, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybergeek23851

Mike, are you plugging it into a GFI outlet?

If so, don't. It's a motor load, and the inrush of amperage at startup, trips the outlet, thinking there is a ground fault.

Alright...cool. I'll swap out the outlet and call it good.

cybergeek23851 · 08-26-2007, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serious One

Alright...cool. I'll swap out the outlet and call it good.

Just use a regular outlet to check and see...

Pazuzu · 08-26-2007, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roxywheels

x2

That's not nice. He can stay.

I just want him to STFU!!!

Is everyone starting to understand why I want to scream that in every thread he posts in?

Serious One · 08-26-2007, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybergeek23851

Just use a regular outlet to check and see...

Swapped out outlet...everything works. Thanks PBB!

08-25-2007, 09:35 PM	#1
Serious One Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Member # 8768 Location: Utahr Posts: 4,049	free refrigerators ain't free So my neighbor remodels her kitchen...I've given her husband a few prints over the years and our families are really good friends. She decides to get new appliances, including a refrigerator, so we end up taking her old one home and putting it in the garage. It's worked perfectly at her home for the past 15+ years, but when I get it home it trips my GFI outlet in my garage every time. I head to Home Depot, spend $95 on wire, gang boxes, switches, and oh yeah, a GFI outlet to replace the one in my garage...just in case. The 'extra' stuff is for my downstairs project. I proceed to replace said outlet, plug in the 'fridge, and yep, it trips the GFI again. I run an extension cord into the house, it trips the GFI in the bathroom too. Now I'm starting to think it's the fridge's fault and not the house/wiring/plugs. We didn't tip the fridge on it's side, only had a couple of large-ish bangs when getting it out of the house, but all-in-all we managed to get it out and to my place pretty smoothly. We didn't bang it up enough for us to mangle any wires (or at least I don't think we did). Trying to figger out what's up with this fridge. __________________ Michael Last edited by Serious One; 08-25-2007 at 09:36 PM.

08-25-2007, 09:39 PM	#2
Travis Waldher Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4878 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 6,358	Does it trip a non-gfi breaker? Found a hint at the problem I was thinking it might be. http://www.fridgedoctor.com/frequent...i-breaker.html http://www.inspectionnews.net/home_i...i-circuit.html Last edited by Travis Waldher; 08-25-2007 at 09:45 PM.

08-25-2007, 10:42 PM	#6
Motornoggin Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Member # 13268 Location: Hillsbororegon Posts: 1,371	I have an old freezer plugged into a GFI and it is fine. __________________ [url]www.ravenoffroad.com[/url], ROROHVC-President, TRAC-4x4 rep.

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08-25-2007, 10:34 PM	#4
Chris Banned Join Date: Oct 2000 Member # 2032 Posts: 4,616	Yep, fridges should not be plugged into gfi's. A few years back the NEC had an exception that said any dedicated outlet(fridge, washer) in a garage did not have to be gfi'd.

08-25-2007, 11:58 PM	#8
f250crawler Banned Join Date: May 2005 Member # 48208 Location: Glendale, Az Posts: 369	It probably doesn't have a capacitor if its tripping it...

08-26-2007, 12:24 AM	#10
f250crawler Banned Join Date: May 2005 Member # 48208 Location: Glendale, Az Posts: 369	Wow you guys found a way to make a smiley annoying after only two days.

08-26-2007, 01:58 AM	#14
ironpig70 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Member # 6957 Posts: 4,189	and don't forget it's not very energy efficent

08-26-2007, 02:50 AM	#17
wireman Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Member # 51775 Location: spring, tx Posts: 12	Here is the NEC exception. The following exceptions can apply concerning your GFI protection of receptacles in an attached garage, if these attached garage receptacles meet the requirements of these exceptions. If a duplex receptacle is located behind a large appliance such as a refrigerator, freezer, washer, dryer etc., making the duplex receptacle “not to be readily accessible”, and if this duplex receptacle is located behind the large appliance, then the GFI protection is not required to protect that non-readily accessible receptacle that is serving that appliance and located behind that appliance. NEC Article 210.8.A.Exception.1 If a receptacle serving a large appliance is located so that it is not located behind the large appliances in a manner so that it “is readily accessible” then that receptacle that is serving that appliance but is not installed behind that appliance must be a single receptacle and not a duplex receptacle. If this receptacle serving that appliance is a single receptacle and not a duplex receptacle then this single receptacle can still be without GFCI protection.

08-26-2007, 07:03 AM	#19
Little Jeep Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Member # 58117 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,281	Wow, you guys have code that calls for GFI's everywhere except where the location allows for an exception. Here only bathrooms and electric outlets for example at the kitchen sink are GFI protected.