Question about home electricity

[..]

My house rebuild.

My new fridge kept tripping the breaker. I'm told it was when the compressor started. I asked

My question - So a bigger amp breaker was put in?
The answer - No a non arc fault since it is on a gfi.

What is a non arc fault?

[GiG]

Possibly

[Psychotic Bovine]

From AFCISAFETY.org

"Why do we really need Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs)?
Smoke alarms, fire extinguishers and escape ladders are all examples of emergency equipment used in homes to take action when a fire occurs. An AFCI is a product that is designed to detect a wide range of arcing electrical faults to help reduce the electrical system from being an ignition source of a fire. Conventional overcurrent protective devices do not detect low level hazardous arcing currents that have the potential to initiate electrical fires. It is well known that electrical fires do exist and take many lives and damage or destroy significant amounts of property. Electrical fires can be a silent killer occurring in areas of the home that are hidden from view and early detection. The objective is to protect the circuit in a manner that will reduce its chances of being a source of an electrical fire. "

[Jess from VA]

I'm in a 55yo cheapo built home with original wiring (though with a 200 amp heavy up), and I run one new and one old full size fridges, and I never trip a breaker.  I have no problem with the benefits of this AFCI, but why should his (presumably new) fridge be tripping breakers on a new home build?

We all know fridges have a big surge when kicking on, then drop to a lower constant.  Even my big generator handles the surge for both (though when I use it, I bring them up one at a time, along with other circuits).

[mike72903]

There are circuit breakers, gfi's (ground fault interrupters) and arc fault breakers.  Arc fault interrupters are the new national code for bedroom protection.  As the name implies they trip off when an arc is detected on a circuit.  An arc would not necessarily trip an old fashioned breaker or a gfi.  An arc could easily start a fire.  You can't use an arc fault and a gfi on the same circuit.  It will cause exactly the situation you describe.  It's probable the gfi was not in the breaker box but is in series with your wiring to the fridge or in the fridge outlet itself.  These look similar to standard outlets but have reset buttons on the front.  I am not an electrician but an active DIY'er in all phases of home improvement and that's how I understand it. 

[98valk]

present code is a normal dedicated 20amp breaker and outlet for a refrig. no GFCI breaker or outlet. a frig will always trip a GFCI.

[bill-jr]

Change the new AFCI breaker to a regular one ....
shouldnt be on there anyhow ....

New codes( i guess depending on what book you go by) says whole house arc fault or gfi protected ....
 
Fridge wont always trip a gfi ....
But not a good idea to have one of those there either ....

Arc failt will detect arc in neutral to ground ... Example compreesor or vacumn or justa sliver of the damn lighting neutral wire touching something....
Where as a regular breaker will not you could tie the white and green together of you wanted to

Gfi is a protecton for wet areas .....

[98valk]

New codes( i guess depending on what book you go by) says whole house arc fault or gfi protected ....

Yep..New construction
 
Fridge wont always trip a gfi ....
But not a good idea to have one of those there either ....

Yep..I've heard both sides. Last I was told some lab testing was done and something about some type of moisture from frig sometimes migrates down the cord to the GFCI and trips it. I know sounds crazy but this electrician has always been on top of the latest testing/codes/specs. So I always err on not using one for a frig.

And I was just told recently that the latest GFCI's do not allow the outlet tester to work. Progress??

[sandy]

Check all connections after the GFI. The GFI breaker may/may not feed more than one duplex. If there's a loose connection anywhere, the breaker will trip when a load is applied.

[bill-jr]

98
Would you say you dont have to add arc faults on a rebuild or remodel .??

[bill-jr]

Possibly a delay so the relay does not trip when the condenser first starts and puts a surge in the circuit  
The initial inrush of current from the condenser would normally trip the breaker, but a delay will allow that inrush to stabilize before faulting out

You better stick to D/C jig .....

[98valk]

98
Would you say you dont have to add arc faults on a rebuild or remodel .??

follow whatever your local and state laws and code enforcement inspector wants.

[fudgie]

No need for the gfci breaker/outlet. Use a reg one.

[Patrick]

I've been trying to stay away from this basically because of the good info given. I'm one that thinks some codes have gone too far. I'm not a fan of GFIs. Just how many deaths have they prevented, we got along without them for decades. I still haven't put them in my bathrooms or kitchens. But, I don't have an issue with them being mandated near a water source so I guess I'm becoming a wuus in my old age.
So, I guess you know my opinion of a frig being used on a GFI breaker.

I guess my main opinion of GFIs came years ago when they first were discovered. We had diesel trucks that lived outside and they needed to start when asked. When a local inspector came snooping he made us replace the outlets with these newfangled GFIs. Every night they would trip. The GFIs didn't stay around long. We never electrocuted anyone, heck, no one ever got a shock.

[98valk]

I did a lot of research on them yrs ago. Basically every electric appliance, always has a low level of electrical leakage. it can be measured but a person does not feel it.
Now manufacturers save a ton of money by not having to do QA testing of their products. So they put the testing on the consumer. If an item is leaking past the limit a person would get a mild shock or worst if its really bad. So here comes the GFCI, bad appliance it will trip protect the consumer, but the GFCI will keep tripping and consumer has to return the item at their time and expense.
So the consumer is protected from being shocked, the manufacturer is protected from being sued and pockets more money for no QA thanks to NEMA a private company who also makes more money. And the American buyer has all of the added cost on them.

Hope I stated all of that clearly enough and u all get the idea.

[..]

OK guys.

My house hasn't burnt down again since I posted so I REALLY do hope the correct electrical solution has been found.

Thanks for all the input.