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Dave H 
Orange Level
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Central IL
Points: 3591
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 Topic: GFI Circuit Pains
Posted: 05 Apr 2025 at 12:03pm |
I know a little about them, but!
My outside outlets and lights are on a GFI circuit. Every time it stays damp or is raining considerably the thing trips. It is pizzen me off. I got a replacement breaker ordered for grins.
Is there an easy way out of this swamp. Maybe just throw a regular breaker and let her rip. 
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Lars(wi)
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Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Permian Basin
Points: 8148
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Posted: 05 Apr 2025 at 12:12pm |
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If the electrical feed, and box is properly grounded, just replace with a traditional 20 amp outlet.
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I tried to follow the science, but it was not there. I then followed the money, and that’s where I found the science.
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Lars(wi)
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Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Permian Basin
Points: 8148
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Posted: 05 Apr 2025 at 12:14pm |
 Lars(wi) wrote:
If the electrical feed, and box is properly grounded, just replace with a traditional 20 amp outlet. |
I don’t have any GFCI outlets on the exterior of my house, nor any in the detached garage/shop.
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I tried to follow the science, but it was not there. I then followed the money, and that’s where I found the science.
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Dave H
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Central IL
Points: 3591
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Posted: 05 Apr 2025 at 12:34pm |
that is where I am headed at present Lars.
Thanks for the info.
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DMiller
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Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Hermann, Mo
Points: 34305
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Posted: 05 Apr 2025 at 3:54pm |
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I installed GFCI Outlets at all locations that could end up Wetted, Deck, Front Porch Garage Sides, even the outlet for the Block Heater plug in at face of Shop. Unnecessary for Breakers to be GFCI with those.
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DanWi
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Joined: 18 Sep 2009
Location: wttn
Points: 1941
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Posted: 05 Apr 2025 at 5:21pm |
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When they built a guys new heifer barn he had to have GFI outlets for the cattle waterers per electric code and the barn had to be inspected. Those outlets don't work for water heaters in cattle waterers so as soon as the inspector signed off. There was a box of outlets changed.
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Pat the Plumber CIL
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Springfield,Il
Points: 4946
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Posted: 05 Apr 2025 at 5:33pm |
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Electricians around here tell me they have to install GFI outlets on sump pumps,sewage pumps and the latest was garage door openers have to have them. Most will install non GFI outlets close enough that the home owner can move the plug after inspection .
Ex girlfriend had a freezer on a circuit with a GFI ,,, I got to clean that one after she realized a couple weeks later. I understand why they require them but sometimes you wonder .
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You only need to know 3 things to be a plumber;Crap rolls down hill,Hot is on the left and Don't bite your fingernails
1964 D-17 SIV 3 Pt.WF,1964 D-15 Ser II 3pt.WF ,1960 D-17 SI NF,1956 WD 45 WF.
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plummerscarin
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Joined: 22 Jun 2015
Location: ia
Points: 3975
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Posted: 05 Apr 2025 at 8:49pm |
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Our electrical inspector here does not understand the sense in these. As Pat noted, a number of items don't play well with GFCI. After he's done and gone, do as needed to keep freezer and sump pump working
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DaveKamp
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Joined: 12 Apr 2010
Location: LeClaire, Ia
Points: 6088
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Posted: 05 Apr 2025 at 10:32pm |
Existential issues take precidence over theoretical, presumptive, and rhetorical issues. NFPA is no longer a sensible organization concerned with fire, they're corrupt, now selling patent licenses for gadgetry they've cleverly thrust upon the public.
The introduction to NFPA NEC is that "The code IS NOT LAW"... the application of this code in no way becomes liability or responsibility of the NFPA in the event that something goes wrong. Municipalities that reference The Code also reject liability for any circumstance where adherance to some code aspect results in injury or loss. At the same time, insurance companies deny any claim of liability where code was NOT adhered.
It's a corrupt pile of crap. Protect yourself, and your property, and don't assume anyone else will.
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Ten Amendments, Ten Commandments, and one Golden Rule solve most every problem. Citrus hand-cleaner with Pumice does the rest.
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DMiller
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Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Hermann, Mo
Points: 34305
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Posted: 06 Apr 2025 at 8:54am |
DaveKamp wrote:
Existential issues take precidence over theoretical, presumptive, and rhetorical issues. NFPA is no longer a sensible organization concerned with fire, they're corrupt, now selling patent licenses for gadgetry they've cleverly thrust upon the public.
The introduction to NFPA NEC is that "The code IS NOT LAW"... the application of this code in no way becomes liability or responsibility of the NFPA in the event that something goes wrong. Municipalities that reference The Code also reject liability for any circumstance where adherance to some code aspect results in injury or loss. At the same time, insurance companies deny any claim of liability where code was NOT adhered.
It's a corrupt pile of crap. Protect yourself, and your property, and don't assume anyone else will.
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Saw this at the Power Company, Softly FORCED to retain Code Qualification of Facilities for 'Insurer Levels' to be retained so we were forced into Flaming Retarded Clothing and protective gear, IE: FR Marked. Tooling, And Equipment ONLY from certain producers, ALL Cotton Clothing No Longer the Norm or Allowed as HAD TO BE FR Rated and marked as well LAUNDERED by the Producers Demands. Useless SCH!T, All Cotton, Blast Shielding face and head guards, Non Conductive Tooling ALL worked Just Fine but did not pay other Parties as well. We had 120, 240v GFCI systems, most were Junk, breakers always tripping for No Known Reasons beyond plugging in a tool, reset and was fine for the time, then the Static test switches, "Cannot Trust Test Functions", "Must INSTALL Additional GFCI Products to the Final Apparatus Feeder Cables" IOW a GFCI Breaker feeding a GFCI Outlet Device at the end of a Power Cord, Most would NOT EVER Reset yet not trip if Ground Fault tested correctly either.
As Noted JUNK.
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SteveM C/IL
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Shelbyville IL
Points: 8667
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Posted: 06 Apr 2025 at 2:09pm |
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People trying to justify their jobs...."Hey I got a new idea!" and we will sell it in the name of safety!!!
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DMiller
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Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Hermann, Mo
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Posted: 06 Apr 2025 at 3:28pm |
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Story of our lives
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jaybmiller
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Greensville,Ont
Points: 24768
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Posted: 06 Apr 2025 at 4:27pm |
If you think GFCIs are bad..... read up about ARCFAULT breakers !!!
I downloaded the CDN regs after 2nd page was cornfused.......
Supposed to be THE best and required by law up here EXCEPT for some applications like fridges, microwaves,welders of course, NOT required if the panel to 1st outlet is BX cable, etc. Gee IF they're the best WHY so many ways to NOT use them !!!!
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3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112
Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor)
Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water
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steve(ill)
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: illinois
Points: 88450
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Posted: 06 Apr 2025 at 6:10pm |
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GFI probably have a place "SOMEHWERE".. problem is they are way too sensitive.... It it detects a voltage drop of some MILLI VOLT, it trips... Maybe that should be 1 or 5 volts... Would not see any FALSE TRIPS then.. If they get SOAKED, OK... If you have a DEAD SHORT, OK... If the humidity changes from 50% to 90% it SHOULD NOT TRIP..
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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WF owner
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Joined: 12 May 2013
Location: Bombay NY
Points: 5052
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Posted: 07 Apr 2025 at 6:37am |
A few years ago, when GFI's first came out, a friend of mine built a new house. Of course, he had to have a GFI outlet in the bathroom. They could not stop the GFI from tripping. They replaced the GFI outlet several times and still couldn't keep it from tripping.
They finally narrowed it down to it was only a problem when the bathroom exhaust fan was used. The only thing they were ever able to come up with was that when the fan was shut off, the (still turning when it was shutting down) motor was generating enough current back feeding through the circuit to trip the GFI.
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DMiller
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Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Hermann, Mo
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Posted: 07 Apr 2025 at 4:28pm |
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When I wired the House, Bath OUTLETS are One Circuit, Lighting Another, had similar problem in a 1960s home we remodeled, had to split that one as well.
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jaybmiller
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Greensville,Ont
Points: 24768
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Posted: 07 Apr 2025 at 5:12pm |
lighting and appliance outlet should never ,ever be on the same circuit. If you want to know why, be running a table saw when the breaker trips... ..report back when you get out of ER.....
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3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112
Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor)
Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water
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Coke-in-MN
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Afton MN
Points: 42018
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Posted: 07 Apr 2025 at 6:50pm |
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friend had GFI required on smoke detector circuit - problem is they trip ,
So system inspected with units removed but wired - inspected and passed - then remove GFI breaker and install the units .
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Life lesson: If you’re being chased by a lion, you’re on a horse, to the left of you is a giraffe and on the right is a unicorn, what do you do? You stop drinking and get off the carousel.
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