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I know this is a common problem and there are many posts on this, but I can’t get a resolution. Please help.

  • fridge in garage plugged into gfci. Trips occasionally (no pattern - can be daily, weekly or even months in between). Happening more lately (summer time).
  • on its own 20a, dedicated, new and functioning gfci. Seems to happen less when on a shared 15a gfci (which screws up timers and equipment on the shared outlet).
  • gfci is new and functioning. Happens no matter where in garage plug in.
  • I do NOT want to bypass code and plug into non-gfci (don’t even have any in garage). There is an issue I would like to address, rather than bypass.
  • Used a snubber - didn’t help.
  • 10 yr old fridge.
  • Cleaned coils.
  • Manual does not indicate to use non-gfci.
  • Ice maker not in use.
  • Checked wiring - didn’t seem to be any shorts, damage, fray or loose connections.
  • Outlet and plug elevated and away from moisture.
  • Nothing coming up on error codes.
  • I do not know how to troubleshoot a vaulter defrost circuit….
  • Not sure if there is ‘excessive’ moisture. Some water below the coils in the pan.
  • fridge was pretty boxed in on sides and pushed back to the wall.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I think I troubleshot most major culprits with this problem.

Thanks Ken

Ken Alepidis
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4 Answers4

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In my experience even some newer fridges don't like GFCIs. My 2022 Samsung fridge regularly tripped up GFCIs despite not explicitly saying that in the manual, and I had to put it on a non-GFCI outlet.

If the outlet is completely covered by the fridge (so not generally usable for other stuff), consider replacing it with a non-GFCI single-outlet receptacle and labeling it as "no GFCI". If nobody is regularly plugging things in/out, it reduces the likelihood of electrocution anyway.

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See also Avoiding GFCI for my fridge for context on fridge GFCI issues, and https://diy.stackexchange.com/a/248429/128465 for a similar suggestion to a similar issue.

Harper - Reinstate Monica
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peter
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I have 47 years of electrical experience in industry. If your fridge or freezer has an inverter driven compressor, a GFI should be fine. Typical refrigeration units have a high compressor start up amp surge, spike that can produce leakage to ground in excess of 5 milli amps. That's what trips the GFI. The appliance industry is not ready for all of the electrical new 2023 code writing .

I just purchased a new Frigidaire freezer for my garage. In their instructions they DO NOT recommend a GFI. I will be putting this on a single non-GFI circuit with a single receptacle.

Tim Green
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A garage is a relatively wet environment. Your fridge may simply not be designed to work there. Do you have anywhere actually indoors you could try it and see if it blows a GFCI there?

keshlam
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Perhaps its fan/vent for air is clogged of blocked with lint or something? It might be heating up and causing heat to flow back into the wire/ outlet?

user168765
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