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08-01-2012, 03:40 PM
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#1
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Newbie
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: phx,az
Posts: 1
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afci trips before gfci?????????
I wired up some out side circuits 20amp gfci outlets with a 20 amp afci breaker when the inspector puts there test tool in the gfci the afci trips and not the gfci......both test normal when you push the test button and work fine under load,but inspector wont pass it. any ideas what could cause this? they are Square D afci's. I double checked all connections and all are tight I am pulling my hair out! please help...
Last edited by jeremywj; 08-01-2012 at 03:44 PM.
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08-01-2012, 03:49 PM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Central Coast, Cali
Posts: 105
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afci trips before gfci?????????
Why is this circuit on an AFCI? I was under the impression that GFI protected circuits didn't require AFCI protection as well. I'm sure someone who knows for sure will be by shortly.
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08-01-2012, 03:50 PM
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#3
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Electrical Contractor
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Chester, VA.
Posts: 774
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afci trips before gfci?????????
Proper way to test either is with it's test button. Does your area require both, you should just need GFCI for outdoor receptacles.
Usually the manufacturers instructions state the proper way to test is the test button. Not the little inspectors tool. 
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08-01-2012, 05:55 PM
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#4
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E2 Electrician
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Litchfield, CT
Posts: 3,117
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afci trips before gfci?????????
Quote:
Originally Posted by wirenut1110
Proper way to test either is with it's test button. Does your area require both, you should just need GFCI for outdoor receptacles.
Usually the manufacturers instructions state the proper way to test is the test button. Not the little inspectors tool. |
The ONLY way to test a AFCI or GFCI is with the test button, no other testing tool exists.
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08-01-2012, 06:10 PM
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#5
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Lic Electrical Inspector
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: The Great Police State of New Jersey
Posts: 1,366
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afci trips before gfci?????????
Quote:
Originally Posted by stickboy1375
The ONLY way to test a AFCI or GFCI is with the test button, no other testing tool exists.
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The only way to properly test a GFI or AFCI is to follow the manufacturers installation instructions.
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08-01-2012, 06:20 PM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Central Coast, Cali
Posts: 105
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afci trips before gfci?????????
Quote:
Originally Posted by stickboy1375
The ONLY way to test a AFCI or GFCI is with the test button, no other testing tool exists.
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Ideal makes a tester for AFCI and GFCI circuits...it's just so expensive versus its relative usefulness that I don't think anyone uses them.
But I agree that whatever the manufacturer says is the best option...and that seems to be the good old test button.
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08-01-2012, 06:45 PM
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#7
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E2 Electrician
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Litchfield, CT
Posts: 3,117
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afci trips before gfci?????????
Quote:
Originally Posted by electures
The only way to properly test a GFI or AFCI is to follow the manufacturers installation instructions.
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 better worded than me, thanks.
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08-01-2012, 08:04 PM
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#8
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Semi-Pro Electro-Geek
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Arizona, USA
Posts: 2,168
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afci trips before gfci?????????
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeremywj
both test normal when you push the test button and work fine under load,but inspector wont pass it. any ideas what could cause this?
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A stupid inspector. He's doing it wrong. He needs to be pressing the test button on the device, not using his little tester thingy. Since AFCI and GFCI both sense ground faults and only have maximum allowable trip thresholds and clearing times, not minimums, a simulated ground fault tester could trip either one first. It's not a "coordinated system", and it's not required to be. I would normally expect the GFCI to trip first because it's required to have a lower trip current and clearing time, but it's not guaranteed and doesn't indicate a problem.
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