My GCFI circut that my deep freezer is plugged into. I didn't have this problem when I moved into my home. Now the circut is tripping off. Do I have to change out the circut braker at the main box, or change the GCFI outlet? There is double 15amp braker in the main box. Can I change to a lager braker such as a double 20amp, if theres such a thing. How can I solve this problem without bringing in an expensive elect guy. But If I have to so be it. Please advise. Thanks
2007-10-12 15:06:16 · 7 answers · asked by all41_0357 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
maybe the GFI is bad. plug the freezer into another outlet and if it does not trip, I suspect the GFI is bad.
don't upgrade breakers without upgrading wires, too.
2007-10-12 16:59:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually you haven't given enough information for anyone to give you a good answer. You speak of a 15 amp double breaker in the main box, is it the ONLY breaker or are there more. What is the amperage of the large breaker on the top, 60, 100, 150, 200?? I'm wondering why your freezer is plugged into a GFI outlet to begin with, it really doesn't need to be GFI protected, and it shouldn't draw more than 15 amps to trip a breaker. I'd try getting a good extension cord and plug the freezer into a different non-GFI outlet and see what happens.
2007-10-12 15:44:45 · answer #2 · answered by Corky R 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
What is tripping, the GFCI or the circuit breaker? Freezers usually don't use a double breaker. You cannot put a 20 amp breaker on a 15 amp wire. A 15 amp breaker should handle the freezer with no problem unless there are other things on that circuit overloading it. Email for more help. I need to know what is tripping.
2007-10-12 16:57:25 · answer #3 · answered by John himself 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
sounds like you supply is old, would that be correct?
your freezer, needs to run on it own , supply, by that i mean ,just one 20amp brecker, nothing more, nothing less,
you dont need a gcfi, this is tripping out becasue of the moisure comeing from the freezer,
just a normal 20 amp would work , all by its self
but i would check the brecker at the box, just to be safe
and if you find a problem, call in a pro
2007-10-12 17:11:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's a couple of issues here.
If you only have a couple power fuses in the box it usually means its an older home that doesn't really cater for many modern day appliances.
Microwaves, heaters, driers, jugs and many other electrical items draw too much power to be used from only two fuses.
One day this could actually cause a house fire.
The wiring you have isn't suited to having a higher fuse put in which would only increase the risks of a house fire.
You either should only use one appliance at a time so as to not over load the system.
Of get your house wiring updated with some extra power fuses shared between your power points.
Many older houses are set up this way and really they all should have extra fuses put in.
2007-10-12 15:16:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Number one, dont listen to harleysdr. sounds mildly illiterate and is telling you what is wrong without knowing a thing. There are several things that could be going wrong here, the outlet itself could be getting worn, the circuit could be overloaded. I would call someone who knows what he or she is doing and let them figure it out. Too many variables here. There are about 4-5 things that immediately come to mind that COULD be wrong and would take a while to explain what they are and how to correct them. In this case a pro is the way to go.
2007-10-16 12:09:08 · answer #6 · answered by Nick S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not recommended to use a GFCI outlet on a refrigerator or freezer circuit. I spider web in the GFCI is sometimes enough to trip it. Then everything melts. Never Use a GFCI on a sump pump circuit either, unless you wanted an added chance for a flooded basement.
2007-10-12 15:30:12 · answer #7 · answered by Bobo 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋