Last week, I posted a message about the possibility of a GFI in my bathroom caushing television interference just before it tripped. Now, two more GFI outlets are acting strangely. There are two in the kitchen, both of which tripped today. It's the middle of a work day, so I haven't investigated any further. But, where's the next place to pick up the trail?
For what it's worth, I have one of those LED circuit testers. It says grounding is correct at both outlets.
Experiencing any other TV or radio interference along with that?
It's not impossible that you are getting some strong rf signals on your incoming power line which is somehow affecting the electronics in those GFIs.
Do you know if the GFIs are all the same make and model? I'd find it unlikely that different models would have similar rf succeptibilities.
Good GFIs should be RFI proof, but you never know what corners some cheapo manufacturers might cut.
*********************************Not related to what I just said, but,
Item No.2 on this page mentions "ground trickle" from flourescent ballasts and its effect on GFIs:
Jeff
Jeff: Based on responses I got last week about the TV interference, I'm assuming the first GFI, in the bathroom, is at fault. I just haven't had a chance to replace it. (sonofabitch....I spent 2 hours looking at exterior lights this weekend, at a really fantastic electrical supply place - didn't even think to buy a new one while I was there. This place sells no junk. Duh. Another trip.)
Now, I'm moving on to the reason the two in the kitchen have tripped on the same day. Because I'm working with the computer, I can't start flipping breakers yet, but I'm assuming they're on the same circuit. I'm wondering what sort of short cuts someone took when installing these things. The house was built in the 1950s, so these were not original equipment, so to speak.
According to Doug Kanter :
Not impossible, but exceedingly unlikely. Pretty huge EMI I would think required to do this, no matter how cheap the GFIs are, and it'd be obvious on the radio or TV.
Indeed.
Are all the GFIs on the same circuit? I'd immediately suspect a moisture induced hot-ground leak, especially if there are outlets outside. A single outlet doing this could cause multiple GFIs on the same circuit to trip erratically. Or, a loose connection _could_ do the same thing. Even an intermittent neutral-ground short. None of which your outlet tester is likely to find.
You should probably open all the boxes connected with this circuit and check for loose wires and/or evidence of moisture, or bare ground wires in proximity to screw terminals.
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