wopachop wrote:
3 tons wrote:
Revolver wrote:
Hello,
When I plug my electric cooktop into the outdoor GFCI outlet, the GFCI trips. The cooktop is rated at 1000w according to the label. Do those GFCI outlets have a lower amperage rating than normal?
Thanks,
Ray
No, it sounds more like a small amount of internal leakage inside the cooktop, possibly from a cracked element insulator - the GFI is likely reacting to this worn condition..
Can you explain more por favor? Does the crack itself fill with a somewhat conductive liquid causing the hot and ground to tickle each other?
Basically your plug has 3 pins. The power comes in through one blade and is supposed to leave through the other. These are sometimes referred to as the hot and the neutral. For safety in case something breaks and the hot wire touches the same parts that you do (the case) the round pin connects the case to ground so that the electricity doesn't try to go through you to get to ground. The GFI circuit essentially counts the electrons going out through the hot blade connector and compares it with the number coming back through the neutral. If there is a difference it concludes that there is a possibility that the case is charged with electricity and you could be injured so it shuts off the flow of electricity. Many times the device would still work and the leak from hot to the case is taken care of by the ground but just in case you have a ground problem the GFI kills the circuit. There may or may not be "conductive liquid" (water) present but somehow the electricity is finding its way to the case. The best solution is to check the cooktop by trying it on another GFI outlet and replacing it if that GFI trips as well.
