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My new Samsung fridge is currently on one of my kitchen's two 20A circuits, which I'm trying to bring up to code prior to inspection. This previously caused problems with GFCI on that circuit (see Avoiding GFCI for my fridge), which I've solved by making each individual countertop outlet use its own GFCI (without using the "load" terminals) and using a regular non-GFCI outlet for the fridge.

Now I'm looking at introducing AFCI at the breaker to make the kitchen circuits code compliant, and I noticed the AFCI breaker immediately trips whenever I plug in the fridge. I tried using two separate AFCI breakers and they both immediately trip when the fridge is plugged in. I've also replaced the 15A fridge receptacle to no avail. The same circuit doesn't trip when the fridge is not plugged into the receptacle.

I was considering running a new dedicated, non-AFCI circuit for the fridge, but then I saw this other question (What rooms or loads require AFCI protection?) which implies that AFCI breakers are now required on all 120V circuits, including for dedicated devices.

What options do I have? My fridge doesn't seem to like AFCIs or GFCIs.

Update: I'm in Washington state (2020 NEC), directly under state (not city) jurisdiction. The circuits mentioned above were rerouted during a recent remodel as we had to move some walls, so I believe current code is in effect.

Update 2 (5/5/2023): looks like the fridge is perfectly fine, and I just didn't know how to properly install AFCI breakers :)

Context: Square D Homeline AFCI breakers trip for all appliances

peter
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2 Answers2

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The problem is the fridge, not the AFCI or GFCI.

I expect from a long string of Samsung appliance questions here (and cheap used broken ones on craigslist that were obviously not worth repairing) that you'll get no joy from this, but you could certainly try reporting it as a defect in the new fridge requiring a warranty repair or replacement.

Given current codes, the fridge should work on AFCI or GFCI and if it does not, it's defective.

My LG fridge works on a GFCI without a hitch, for instance; been fine for over two years that way. I don't have an AFCI as yet, (since I use "Chicago-style" wiring I'm not very urgently concerned about adding it) but I expect it to be fine with that, too.

Ecnerwal
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The problem was the breaker

Looks like the fridge was fine, and I just didn't read the instructions for installing an AFCI breaker properly (see Square D Homeline AFCI breakers trip for all appliances). Now that I've wired the breaker correctly, the fridge no longer trips it up.

I had initially assumed the fridge was at fault since the circuit was fine with no appliances connected, but when I plugged in the fridge it immediately tripped. After some further investigation, I realized any other appliance drawing a nontrivial amount of current also tripped it up.

Notes on interactions with Samsung

A few days before I realized the problem with the AFCI breaker, I had reached out to Samsung who sent technicians over to investigate. The technicians themselves told me they see problems with Samsung fridges + AFCI breakers all the time, but Samsung deflected any responsibility, claiming that "since the fridge works on a regular breaker, the problem is with the customer's home wiring".

Samsung was right in this particular case, but for the wrong reasons :) since they didn't do any troubleshooting and assumed all AFCI issues are out-of-scope. Given the many other reports of Samsung fridges tripping AFCIs, it would have been an uphill battle fighting with them for a repair or replacement.

Note that the fridge still has issues with GFCI, but that's a different story and much easier to get around (see Avoiding GFCI for my fridge).

peter
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