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Author Topic: GFCI outlet in kitchen tripping when transmitting.  (Read 295 times)

5BWAZ

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GFCI outlet in kitchen tripping when transmitting.
« on: October 28, 2020, 11:57:02 AM »

Hello,

My Leviton GFCI outlet in my kitchen often trips when transmitting. It happens when using my AL-80B amp at 400w or more. Everything in the shack is grounded to a grounding buss which is connected to outside ground rod. I'm guessing it's RFI. Has anyone had this issue or have an idea how to fix it?

Thank you
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G3RZP

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Re: GFCI outlet in kitchen tripping when transmitting.
« Reply #1 on: October 28, 2020, 12:20:09 PM »

Change the GFCI. I believe ARRL can help identify brands less susceptible. If only we could here in the  UK!!
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K6AER

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Re: GFCI outlet in kitchen tripping when transmitting.
« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2020, 12:24:54 PM »

Just put a .1 mfd/200 Volt cap across the input (black wire) and output connection to ground.common (white wire)
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W4GD

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Re: GFCI outlet in kitchen tripping when transmitting.
« Reply #3 on: October 28, 2020, 12:36:44 PM »

I am living a nightmare version of your problem.  Recently moved into this house, set up my ham station and learned that when I transmit, I trip up to 7 AFCI's even running 5W.  Not only am I tripping my AFCI's, I am tripping those of neighbors all over the place.

G3RZP is correct . ARRL can help.  Check out the September 2017 QST .... there is a helpful article about the problem by W1MG who has since retired.  His replacement at ARRL is Paul Cianciola, W1VLF.  Paul has been very helpful to me.  In my case I have the misfortune of buying into a neighborhood where the houses were all built in 2012 and the electrical contractor for all of the homes used a newly introduced, but very problematic AFCI made by Eaton.  I don't know about Leviton, but Eaton has a program to swap out their bad AFCI's for a later improved model.  You can contact Paul at w1vlf@arrl.net.
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W9IQ

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Re: GFCI outlet in kitchen tripping when transmitting.
« Reply #4 on: October 28, 2020, 01:19:55 PM »

It is likely a faulty GFCI outlet. Simply replace it with a new one. Here is the ARRL page on this topic.

At the same time, you should review your antenna system for common mode current. This often exacerbates false trips.

- Glenn W9IQ
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- Glenn W9IQ

God runs electromagnetics on Monday, Wednesday and Friday by the wave theory and the devil runs it on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday by the Quantum theory.

W8JJ

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Re: GFCI outlet in kitchen tripping when transmitting.
« Reply #5 on: October 28, 2020, 02:08:34 PM »

I tried to resolve this problem for years with no joy. Finally, I went to Home Depot and purchased a new GFCI and it has not tripped in over two years. Mine was the plug to the hot water heater tank. So, imagine me DXing late into the evening only to be followed by early morning screams from the XYL that there was no hot water, again!

Just change the plug and avoid all of the guess work, expense, and aggravation.

73 Tim W8JJ
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AD0AR

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Re: GFCI outlet in kitchen tripping when transmitting.
« Reply #6 on: October 28, 2020, 02:41:44 PM »

I got one that kept tripping/ smoking the GFCI in my kitchen.  Replaced it 3 times with three different brands and they all smoke/ burn up.  Not one outlet is being used.  Only between 3.5-3.8 mhz does this problem happen.  No other frequencies.  I ended up removing the GFCI and replaced it with a normal outlet.  Problem solved.
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W1RKW

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Re: GFCI outlet in kitchen tripping when transmitting.
« Reply #7 on: October 28, 2020, 02:49:17 PM »

If the AFCI is a Square D brand breaker, contact Square D.  They'll replace them for free.
« Last Edit: October 28, 2020, 02:51:51 PM by W1RKW »
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KD6VXI

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Re: GFCI outlet in kitchen tripping when transmitting.
« Reply #8 on: October 28, 2020, 03:26:00 PM »

Change the GFCI. I believe ARRL can help identify brands less susceptible. If only we could here in the  UK!!

Why can't you?

They have a line and load out.  Get one rated 277 or better and you can add it to the first box, and it will GFCI all subsequent ones.

Or is it a code issue?

--Shane
KD6VXI
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KH6AQ

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Re: GFCI outlet in kitchen tripping when transmitting.
« Reply #9 on: October 29, 2020, 05:15:03 AM »

Replacing the outlet with another brand is what I would do.

I would not add any capacitors to the GFI because a run-of-the-mill capacitor is unsafe in AC line power applications. If a capacitor is added line-to-line it really should be the same type as are mandated by safety agencies in the US and Europe for use in electronic equipment, and that is an X2 "safety rated" capacitor. While rated, for example, for 250 VAC they are designed and 100% tested to withstand 2500 volt surges. Digikey, Mouser and others stock them.

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KL7CW

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Re: GFCI outlet in kitchen tripping when transmitting.
« Reply #10 on: October 29, 2020, 11:53:33 AM »

To AD0AR, you really NEED working GFCI outlets in the kitchen for meeting the code, and especially for your safety.  Before doing much else, I would purchase an outlet tester which is probably less than $20 from a box or hardware store.  They have 3 lights which show if the hot, neutral, and ground wires are correctly wired.  Check all the outlets in your home, it is not uncommon to find something is wrong.  This may not solve your problem, but is a good first step.  GFCI protection can be with a GFCI breaker in your breaker panel, or with a GFCI outlet in the first outlet after the beaker panel.  Pay attention, since the white wires (neutral) should not be connected to the green (ground wire) in your walls and outlets. I have found reversed hot and neutral wires in outlets, and missing ground connections.  Not sure if it would contribute to RFI issues.  I am not an electrician, so be safe and hire a licensed electrician if you are not comfortable, and check out my and other advice yourself, since any of us could be wrong.   KL7CW
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