In my shop I have two general purpose electrical circuits that I connect ev erything to except the big machines. They are 20 amp (120VAC)circuits with 12 gauge wire. Each circuit starts with a GFCI outlet and then a chain of normal outlets. All outlets are 20 amp.
On one circuit I have my Yorkcraft 6" jointer plugged in. I've had this a few years. It's been lightly used with no prior problems.
This evening I was jointing a piece of 1 x 6 maple set to take off less tha t 1/64 per pass. After a bit, the GFI would pop. Thinking this might be t he GFCI outlet, I connected the jointer to the second circuit. Same proble m. The only other piece of equipment running was the DC which is on a sepa rate 240VAC circuit.
The circuit breaker (20 amp)never pops. The GFCI outlet is maybe 6' from th e panel and the second outlet (jointer) is about 8-10' from that.
The jointer has a 1 hp motor (running at 120VAC)and, when I pulled the cove r off, the motor was barely warm. No dust buildup either since I have this connected to my DC.
I have done a baby crib's worth of (soft)maple and 2 large bookcase's worth of cherry without incident. The piece I was working on was a piece of the leftover maple.
Any thought why this would cause the GFCI to pop and not the circuit breake r? Also, what would I look for with respect to the cause. I bought the jo inter new 8 or 9 years ago and it has been lightly used.
Thanks,
Bill Leonhardt