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GFCI in living room?

12K views 23 replies 8 participants last post by  Jim Port 
#1 ·
I just purchased a house that has a GFCI outlet in the living room. The GFCI is on the same circuit as the fan and shower light in the bathroom on the opposite side of the wall. When I turn the bath fan on the GFCI trips, and the fan stops. I am thinking I should just replace the GFCI in the living room with a regular outlet, but I have to wonder why this was set up this way in the first place. Does my fix seem correct?
 
#2 ·
Is the fan over the tub/shower? If so, it needs to be GFI protected. I'm guessing the fan motor is on its last legs and the GFI is working as intended.
 
#3 ·
A little bit strange but I would not do your "fix". The GFCI offers protection, removing it reduces protection. Is that what you really want. If the fan is tripping it is because the fans insulation is breaking down and there is leakage to ground. This is what the GFCI is intended to monitor.

As others have suggested find out what element is causing the GFCI to rip and replace that (it could be light fixture too or wiring in the switch a box).
 
#6 ·
My main concern is that in my experience GFCIs will trip even when things are fine. Is there a way to test the fan that is setting this off or does it need replacing? The fan does start up, but then the GFCI is tripped immediately. If there is a short and I switched the GFCI with a regular outlet wouldn’t the circuit breaker then be tripped and I would know for sure there is a problem? If the circuit breaker does not switch off I would think all is good?

Thank you all for your comments.
 
#7 ·
Circuit breakers trip because too much current is flowing on the wires. GFI's trip because there is an imbalance between the current going out and the return current. Two very different animals.

A GFI should not be tripping if all is fine. The fact that is is tripping is telling you there is a problem.
 
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#9 ·
Upon further examination I found that the outlet the fan was connected to must be faulty. The black wire going in had power and the white wire did not. However, when I tested the slots of the outlet there was power in BOTH the black and white side. I assume the power was somehow leaking over into the neutral side. I guess I just need a new outlet.
 
#12 · (Edited)
Upon further examination I found that the outlet the fan was connected to must be faulty. The black wire going in had power and the white wire did not. However, when I tested the slots of the outlet there was power in BOTH the black and white side. I assume the power was somehow leaking over into the neutral side. I guess I just need a new outlet.
How exactly did you do this testing? Did you use a digital or analog meter? If digital, they are very susceptible to phantom voltages. The tester described above is a very handy device to have lent simple to use. I've never seen an outlet with the problem you are describing.
Curiou, thank you for the recomendation. At Amazon it writes "The tester tests for seven conditions including ground fault interruption, open ground, open neutral, open hot, hot/ground reverse, hot/neutral reverse, and correct wiring." Can you explain what these conditions are and how they are caused?

Thank you.
If you don't know what each of these conditions is you're probably better off not working on your electrical problems and you would be better off hiring an electrician.
 
#11 ·
Curiou, thank you for the recomendation. At Amazon it writes "The tester tests for seven conditions including ground fault interruption, open ground, open neutral, open hot, hot/ground reverse, hot/neutral reverse, and correct wiring." Can you explain what these conditions are and how they are caused?

Thank you.
 
#20 ·
Well, the fan did not vent. It just sat in between the joists, so I am going to replace the whole unit with a fan that does vent. I guess it is time to get a little more serious and buy a meter. What do you all recommend? Do you all have both digital and analog? I already ordered the GFCI tester mentioned above.

Goosebarry, this is a rental property I just purchased so I never assume anything was done for a good reason. It could very well be this is the only outlet the last owner had in the house.
 
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