I have my washer and gas dryer plugged in to a 20 amp GFCI outlet I installed. This outlet is only outlet on a 20 amp circuit breaker. Periodically while the washer is doing its thing, the GFCI outlet pops (turns off). Never happens with the dryer. When I press the ‘test’ button, the ‘reset’ button pops.
Is the problem the outlet, the washer, or the electirician?
Replies
Some big appliances just make GFI's unhappy (motor-induced currents I would guess). There is very possibly nothing wrong with any of it.
Code doesn't require generic laundry circuits to provide GFI protection and we don't usually install it.
Ed
Thaks for the reponse.
I installed the GFCI because there is a laundry tub right next to the outlet.
Does this affect your comments?
Nope. It's done all the time, in part because it's not considered much of a safety hazard and in part because washing machines tend to trip GFI's.
LEE
Edited 1/24/2003 10:44:15 AM ET by Ed
The washer and dry are directly grounded through the 3rd prong on the plug and you can't drop them into the sink like you might with a hair dryer.
So there is no need for the GFCI in this type of application.
Even if these are in a basement or garage which would otherwise require a GFCI there is an exception for equipment like this.
Older appliances commonly leak enough voltage to trip GFIs. Nature of the beast. Make sure the ground on both the washer and at the receptacle are sound and take out the GFI.
If you want to go all the way install a second box next to the washer receptacle, a cut in would work well, and mount the GFI in it. Install a single plug receptacle in the original box to serve the washer. That way the washer is not tripping the GFI and you have a GFI protected outlet for the iron. The non-GFI plug is protected from casual use by the washers plug filling the only outlet.