Arc Fault Breakers

nsidhom

I recently installed some GE 20-amp Arc-Fault breakers. The only things on the circuit were a box fan and a small window unit. After about a week the circuit tripped. I reset the breaker, and a week later it tripped again. I took the box fan off of the circuit and only left the window unit and it tripped again after a few days.

I've double checked the wiring at each outlet, and everything seems to be in good shape.

I have run this unit on regular breakers and I know that it is in good, working condition.

Any ideas on what may be wrong?

kbsparky

Got any surge strips plugged in there?

__________________
-KB

Life is uncertain -- eat dessert first!!
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

a7ecorsair

Was there a reason for installing AFCI breakers?
You will have to find every junction box on that circuit and check every wirenut and every terminal screw. Recheck the breaker too.
What size AC are you running? Maybe to receptacle contacts are weak where the AC is plugged in.

nsidhom

There are no surge protectors on the circuit.

I used an AFCI because it is in a bedroom. I used 12 gauge wire and it is a 20 amp circuit.

The window unit is rated for 6500 BTU (only drawing 6 amps)

a7ecorsair

Maybe the A/C is the cause. AF's are designed trip from overload, which doesn't seem to be an issue, or from random noise. This electrical noise could be from a loose connection, a switch contact, or a thermostat contact inside the A/C.

nsidhom

OK. It just seemed odd to me how long it was taking it to trip. I figured a bad connection would trip it sooner.

I'll double check all the junction boxes and the outlets.

nsidhom

I double checked all the connections and it still tripped about a week later.

I am using a GE Arc-Fault breaker (about $40). Has anybody else had problems with those breakers?

BlueBSH

oooh arc fult, anytime I plugged in my craftsman shop vac and turned it on the things tripped..... well any strong motor will do it actually... including a circular saw ugh

seansy59

Arc fault has given me problems too. Went right back to a regular breaker, even know an AFCI was needed by code.

Tripped with vacuum cleaner, A/C window unit, fluorescent light, and my vintage stereo system.

THEY ARE A PAIN! Didn't matter what object was plugged in. The only thing that didn't trigger it was a regular incandescent floor lamp, and my laptop.

Doesn't mean you should change yours out though. Get used to resetting it I guess

Ranger31

Flat screen T.V. are believe to cause AFCI breaker tripping I read some-
where.

I would contact the MFG. go directly to tech support, and ask then for a
newer model of the current AFCI breaker your using. It also may be listed
for recall. i had go luck replacing a QO SD brand breaker. And now the
A.C. unit run okay, not tripping reported so far. You should not have to
pay for a new AFCI breaker if you do this route.

Good Luck.

mpoulton

AFCI's trip on a 30mA ground fault, as well as the (supposedly) characteristic waveforms of a series arc. Refrigerant compressors sometimes fail by developing a ground fault, often a low-level one that doesn't cause a noticeable problem unless they are on a GFCI or AFCI breaker - or someone gets themselves into the fault path! Hence why refrigerators and A/C units are known to trip GFCI's. This could be the cause of your problem. Then again, so could a lot of other things.