GFCI issue

12 years ago

I've got a GFCI in the kitchen that protects six outlets. It recently began tripping when an espresso machine is turned on. It trips for this machine no matter which outlet it is plugged into.

The machine does not trip any of the other three GFCI circuits in the house. I've checked it on them.

No other appliance trips the GFCI that the machine trips.

I replaced the GFCI today with a new one. Yes, it tests properly and the load, line and grounds are connected properly. Same issue with the new GFCI.

I am about to call an electrician but wanted to check on here to see what someone more expert than me thinks. Seems like it must be the appliance but why would it not trip any other circuits?

Thanks

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

Ron Natalie
12 years ago
It's possible that the other GFCI's are defective. There's been a lot of changes over the years. The first simple test:

Disconnect all the other wiring from the LOAD side of the GFCI and try the machine on the GFCI by itself. It it trips, it's extremely likely there is a fault in the unit. If it doesn't, my guess is you've got some miswiring in the circuit (though typically ground->netural faults trip without a load).
johnc3
Original Author
12 years ago
Seems odd that there would be a fault in the brand new unit as well as the old one and that the fault would show up only with this one appliance. Will try removing the load wiring.
Related Professionals
Orangeburg General Contractors · Fort Worth General Contractors · Enfield General Contractors · Gloucester General Contractors · Detroit General Contractors · Pocatello General Contractors · Coos Bay General Contractors · Orlando Home Remodeling · Cumberland Home Remodeling · Killeen Home Remodeling · Butte Home Remodeling · Athens Bathroom Remodelers · Bainbridge Bathroom Remodelers · Dallas Bathroom Remodelers · Parkersburg Bathroom Remodelers
aurorawa
12 years ago
Apparently espresso machines can cause GFCI trips easily. Water inside the machine (if accidentally sloshed around when moving the machine or even atmospheric humidity inside the machine case can cause a GFCI trip). Try unplugging the unit, pulling off the case and waiting a few hours and then replace the case and plug back in.
If that does not work, it could be an issue with a pinhole in the element or a small amount of water leaking out of the boiler and touching terminals. If you are comfortable doing so, (comfortable playing with electricals), you could disconnect the heating element from its terminals (after unplugging the machine, of course), plugging it back in and see if the GFCI still trips.
johnc3
Original Author
12 years ago
Seems odd that there would be a fault in the brand new unit as well as the old one and that the fault would show up only with this one appliance. Will try removing the load wiring.
User
12 years ago
johnc3,

As indicated above, Expresso Machines and GFCI sometimes don't mix.

google: espresso machine trips gfci

And you'll find many, many threads on many forums addressing the situation.
paulusgnome
12 years ago
One reason why the espresso machine trips one gfci and not another is likely to be manufacturing tolerances in the gfcis. There is always going to be a variation in the trip points of different gfcis, some might trip at 4.5mA, some at 5.5mA (I'm guessing at the actual figures - where I live we have 30 mA gfcis that all trip between 18 and 24mA).
So if your espresso machine produced 5mA of earth leakage, it would trip the 4.5mA gfci, but not the 5.5mA.