Electrical outlets w/breaker built in

[ehenry]

I know there's some electrical expertise in this forum. <br /><br />In my garage there is an outlet that has a breaker built in to it. Not sure of the correct term for it. Ground Fault maybe? Anyway it tripped at some point, I guess last week, and caused my freezer to go off and we lost all the food in the freezer. The house we're in is only 7 years old. The freezer is so old I think Noah had it on the arch. <br /><br />THe freezer still runs and freezes. My question is....can this freezer be putting more of a load on the outlet than that little breaker can handle or should I be looking for something to be wrong. The freezer has been on that outlet for the 7 years we've been in the house.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Electrical outlets w/breaker built in

When the circut becomes overloaded it trips ,how many circuts [runs] do you have in the garage ,if it,s only one and you use a circular saw ,drill ,or other devise and freezer motor ckicks in it will trip, freezers should be on a circut of their own ,so if you have two change the location of the freezer

 

[ehenry]

Re: Electrical outlets w/breaker built in

As far as I know the freezer is the only thing on that curcuit. There are 3 outlets in the garage and nothing else is on them. I do know that if the outlet trips in the garage that the outlets on the back screened porch dont work. The only thing on those outlett is a lamp thats only on when we sit out there in the evenings. <br /><br />As I said earlier, we haven't had problems with it until now. To my knowlege theres nothing else on that curcuit.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Electrical outlets w/breaker built in

The outlet you're looking at is a GFI........<br /><br />You Don't need it in the Garage,.... Bathroom,+ Kitchen maybe, But not the Garage.......<br />Get rid of it,+ install a Standard Outlet.......<br /><br />If I'm reading you right, It's the GFI(the Outlet) that's Tripping,+ Not the Circuit Breaker..??...... Correct ??

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Electrical outlets w/breaker built in

You now need a GFI in the garage Bondo, according to the codes here anyway. If he's got one installed it's probably because the code there requires it too.

 

[ehenry]

Re: Electrical outlets w/breaker built in

Bondo, you are correct sir. Its the outlet itself thats tripping. Its my understand ting that the reason for the GFCI outlet in the garage is building code. <br /><br />Aren't those things installed at the head of a line? Couldn't I move it to the next one in the line and install a standard outlet where my freezer is?

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Electrical outlets w/breaker built in

Ef, it's probably the first in the line because it needs to protect the entire garage according to code. If you move it like you say, you'll have trouble if you ever need an inspection unless you move it back.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Electrical outlets w/breaker built in

Believe me I just sold (closing 3/2/05) my 100 year old house to buy a 3 year old one, so I am now familiar with such things as GFI's and all that other happy horsecrap that didn't exist 100 years ago. <br /><br />My house was actually built before the town had sewer, water or electric, so they were all added well after the house was built.

 

[ehenry]

Re: Electrical outlets w/breaker built in

The thing that really chaps my a$$ over the deal is I lost ALL my venison, ALL my vegtables and anything else that was in there. I'd just had 4 shoulders and 4 hind quarters made into sausage and such.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Electrical outlets w/breaker built in

Well,... I/We don't seem to have that code here...... Even if we did,.. I'd Still Change it.....<br />This is Another Safety Law written to try to over-ride Common Sense............<br />It won't Matter, till you want to Sell the house, or Need an Electrical Inspection for some reason..........<br />I can understand the Need in a Bathroom, or Kitchen, or Even on the Outdoor Deck.......<br />Anywhere there's Water, Kids,+ Electricity....<br />After that they're Just a Pain in the a$$..........<br /><br />

Aren't those things installed at the head of a line? Couldn't I move it to the next one in the line and install a standard outlet where my freezer is?

Moving it Up the line,.... It'll Still Trip if there's a draw somewhere Down the line........<br /><br />There's a pretty fair chance that the Freezer just draws Too much for your GFI....... After all, You said it's Older than Dirt......

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Electrical outlets w/breaker built in

If anywhere on the "line" the GFI senses dampness, it will kick.<br />I have a fridge, 6 double bulb shop lights, grinder and a small air compressor on mine in the gararge, and it will kick the breaker in the breaker box before it will the GFI.<br />Just my .02 worth.

 

[ehenry]

Re: Electrical outlets w/breaker built in

I'm just wondering if the GFI outlet has gotten bad or weak. If I replace it will it help?

 

[ED21]

Re: Electrical outlets w/breaker built in

GFI's can be sensitive w/ motors.<br />Sometimes just plugging something in, your thumb will push the test button w/out knowing it. My girls do it w/ hair dryers all the time.<br />If you don't replace the outlet, rig a pilot light that you can see or do a search at appliance sites for a battery powered alarm that sounds when the power fails.

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Electrical outlets w/breaker built in

GFI's explained<br /><br />Bondo, GFI's tripping have NOTHING to do with current draw, only current loss. The breaker would trip if there was a large draw. GFI's detect current leakage from the circuit.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Electrical outlets w/breaker built in

Bondo, GFI's tripping have NOTHING to do with current draw, only current loss. The breaker would trip if there was a large draw. GFI's detect current leakage from the circuit. <br />

No Doubt,.. You're Right.....<br /><br />It Ain't hard to have Leakage using less than new equipment....... That Equals a Pain in the Butt to Me..........<br /><br />I'll explore that link thoughly tonite.... Maybe I'll learn Something...............<br />Gotta Go for now.........

 

[heyttown]

Re: Electrical outlets w/breaker built in

GFCI are required in garages, at least here....I would either check into moving the freezer to another circuit that isnt gfci protected or run a "dedicated circuit" from the electrical box into the garage specifically for the freezer...If the circuit is dedicated for the freezer although its in the garage it does not have to be gfi protected...Again check with your local codes, and if you dont have enough knowledge or feel comfortable working on electricity yourself, pay to have it done...Knowbodys life is worth trying to save a few bucks....A test light wired into the gfi circuit could also tell you if the power ever did go out also...You have several options its just what is easier for you...Not to mention the new freezers draw alot less power then the really old freezers...It could be beneficial to get a high efficiancy freezer.

 

[ehenry]

Re: Electrical outlets w/breaker built in

Judging from the link that Sangerwaker posted and other info I've read its either the freezer thats causing it or the outlet has gotten bad. SW's link said that anything with an electric motor on does not need to be on a GFI outlet. However, I find it strange that its been fine for 7 years. <br /><br />It only tripped once before and I attributed that to the wife washing out the garage and it got wet. This time there was no water involved....it just tripped for what ever reason.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Electrical outlets w/breaker built in

Ef, are there any other outlets on the same circuit? The GFI needs to be installed on the first outlet in the string. I have one in my garage that kept tripping. It was on the same circuit as a cannister light in the bathroom. The insulation had actually receeded on a power wire in the cannister and it was bleeding (not direct short) current to the side of the cannister. Drove me crazy, it was only when the bare wire finally shorted that I found the problem.<br /><br />If it constantly trips every time you reset it, I would look elsewhere. Maybe temporarily, use a heavy duty extention cord to power your freezer from another circuit and see if the GFI continues to trip. I had nothing plugged into the garage outlet with the GFI but it kept tripping.

 

[ehenry]

Re: Electrical outlets w/breaker built in

This only the 2nd time its tripped. I reset it, plugged the freezer back in and the little button stayed in. The last time this happened, same outlet, was about a year ago.

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Electrical outlets w/breaker built in

Personally, I would run a new dedicated circuit, as heyttown posted, and use a standard receptacle. The GFI needs to be on your existing circuit to meet code.