Fridge keeps tripping circuit breaker So I have a pretty new GE Profile fridge, almost 1 year old. the ground wire is sucking up the fault current and subsequently causing the breaker to trip. There are some common causes behind the problem of a fridge tripping breaker: Mar 8, 2025 · One of the primary reasons a refrigerator may trip a breaker is an overloaded electrical circuit. Check circuit breaker or household fuse: Check to see if a household circuit breaker or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt (GFCI) outlet has tripped. A Defective Compressor . Breakers are designed to trip to make sure surges and overloads don’t damage your appliances. Oct 14, 2019 · With current code garages are required to have all 120v receptacles GFCI protected. Rather, it may happen due to a number of reasons or at times due to a combination of two or more reasons. e. by a hot wire coming loose or otherwise electrifying the chassis), then the ground wire and breaker are doing exactly what they are supposed to do i. Just googled this as found that fridge was tripping breaker. There are a lot of different ways that a refrigerator can cause a circuit breaker to trip. com Jul 21, 2023 · This article will examine seven effective ways to fix a fridge that keeps tripping the breaker. See full list on applianceanalysts. Breakers are designed to protect electrical circuits from overloads and short circuits by automatically shutting off the power when such issues arise. If your refrigerator’s compressor keeps tripping off the circuit breaker in an attempt to do the cycle, it suggests that it has a grounding problem that triggers the relay to be overloaded with power. . Jul 8, 2024 · If your refrigerator keeps tripping the circuit breaker, there might be an issue with the wiring, outlet, one of the refrigerator’s components, or an overloaded circuit. Jan 14, 2025 · If you’re unaware, some of the reasons why your refrigerator keeps tripping breakers are the following: busted internal mechanism of the fridge, bad circuitry, and an aging breaker. It kept tripping it and the breaker would indicate an arc fault. Jan 14, 2025 · An overloaded circuit happens when an appliance draws a significant electrical load through a lower-rated line. But then I put an extension cord (don't worry, it's a 12 AWG extension cord) on it to the same outlet and it's stopped tripping. Mar 8, 2025 · What should I do if my refrigerator keeps tripping the breaker? If your refrigerator is consistently tripping the breaker, the first step is to unplug the appliance and inspect it for any visible issues. Unfortunately, there’s no single answer to the question. Circuit Breaker Issue. Apr 10, 2024 · When your refrigerator is repeatedly tripping the breaker, it could be a problem with the outlet and its wiring, an issue with the circuit, or a problem with a faulty defrost timer/control board or compressor's capacitor. A Faulty Compressor Relay. An electric heater sharing a circuit with a fridge can easily cause this. If so, reset the circuit breaker or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt. The compressor is a big draw so it will trip the breaker if it is on anything smaller than a 20 amp. Common Causes of Refrigerator Circuit Breaker Trips. If you have tried all the above steps to no avail, then it might be time to take a look at the circuit breaker. Why a refrigerator keeps tripping a breaker? The primary causes of a refrigerator repeatedly tripping a breaker are: an overloaded circuit; a short circuit; a ground fault surge; All of these problems can cause fires and/or electrocution if not properly addressed. Therefore, it’s recommended to put your freezer on its own circuit moving forward. You MAY have GFCI breakers like the one shown here, (they usually have a little TEST button on them along with the operating handle), but what is described isn't a GFCI-based trip; it's an overload trip. g. [did this several times] So definitely the fridge. From addressing an overloaded circuit to tackling ground fault surges and cleaning dirty condenser coils, the practical solutions you’ll find in this article will guide you in troubleshooting and resolving the problem. Therefore; that is why it is tripping in the basement. Understanding the common causes behind this issue can help you identify and address the problem. The inability of the circuit line to handle the electrical load demand by an electricity-hungry appliance places undue stress on the circuit, which could result in constant breaker tripping. Hence, if your refrigerator breaker keeps tripping, then this article guide might be for you. The circuit breaker is responsible for regulating electrical current in your home, so if the fault lies with this, it will need to be replaced or fixed. Mar 7, 2023 · In conclusion, a tripping circuit breaker can be a headache, but there are several simple ways to fix the problem and keep your refrigerator running smoothly. However, persistent tripping can lead to wear and tear on the internal components of the breaker. Second, it could be because it is in a damp location. At times, a fridge may trip off electricity when the compressor is faulty or it has any earthing issue. Overloaded Circuit: One of the main causes of a refrigerator tripping the breaker is an overloaded circuit. The compressor uses quite an amount of power to carry out the cooling cycle of your refrigerator. 2. Turn fridge on, RCD trips. A regular breaker would fix this, but it is not code if the basement is unfinished. It is on a dedicated 20 amp circuit protected by an AFCI breaker at the sub panel. Apr 10, 2024 · The tripped device will be the circuit breaker at the panel. If other appliances are running on the same circuit as your refrigerator, such as microwaves, toasters, or air conditioners, it can cause the circuit to become overloaded and trip. Understanding the potential causes, from faulty compressors and clogged coils to overloaded circuits, makes it easier to diagnose the problem effectively. Look for signs of damaged cords, frayed wires, or burnt-out components. Most household circuits can handle a maximum of 15 to 20 amps. You may want to start with the simple possible causes before moving to more complex ones. Therefore, check the following if a Maytag refrigerator trips the circuit breaker: Can a Breaker Go Bad if it Keeps Tripping? Yes, a breaker can go bad if it keeps tripping. 1. If not, consider installing a dedicated 20-amp circuit for the refrigerator. Here Nov 9, 2020 · This is a serious issue for all your appliances, but it can also be seen as a symptom. Oct 20, 2024 · Common Causes of a Refrigerator Tripping Breaker. Be sure the outlet your refrigerator is plugged into has a 20-amp rating. 3. If your refrigerator is sufficiently full and energy efficient, it should run every hour or so. If you keep having the circuit breaker trip every hour or so, it means that the refrigerator is kicking on and when that happens, the circuit breaker trips. I have seen several things in fridges and freezers cause gfci’s to trip from fan motors to crankcase heaters and the motor winding insulation being etched from acidic refrigerant in the system ( moisture causes the oil to become acidic this eats the varnish off the motor Feb 17, 2024 · Since the refrigerator shares the circuit, the excessive draw can cause the refrigerator trips the GFCI breaker or outlet. If the refrigerator is on a fuse box, check to see if a fuse has blown and replace it, if necessary. Whether it’s an overloaded circuit or a dirty condenser coil, taking the time to diagnose and repair the issue can save you time, money, and potentially prevent a dangerous situation. A tripping breaker not only disrupts the proper functioning of your refrigerator but also raises concerns about electrical safety. Sep 8, 2023 · Many homeowners and tenants encounter this issue, and it can be quite perplexing. Maytag Refrigerator Tripping Breaker – Solved. Wait 1 minute Turn fridge on, RCD trips. Aug 5, 2024 · The tripped device will be the circuit breaker at the panel. This article will run through all the potential issues that could be causing the fridge to trip the breaker, and crucially, we’ll offer tips on how to fix it. Ground Fault Surge . Jan 9, 2015 · If the refrigerator has developed an electrical fault (e. was on the phone to Fisher Paykel in their call queue when decided to warm up something in the air Oct 25, 2024 · A refrigerator that keeps tripping the circuit breaker signifies an underlying issue that needs prompt attention. Apr 10, 2024 · Learn how to troubleshoot and fix a refrigerator that keeps tripping your circuit breaker, whether it's a bad outlet or breaker, or a part like the compressor. If there is no problem after plugging the extension cord into the new circuit, there is either a problem with the wiring in the RV, the connection to the outlet, the outlet itself, or the GFCI breaker is bad. Apr 8, 2024 · The tripped device will be the circuit breaker at the panel. If it is plugged into a 15 amp breaker with other loads plugged in, it doesn’t take much to trip the circuit. Turn fridge off, reset RCD, power stays on for other appliances. Feb 28, 2021 · To test the GFCI breaker, unplug your Dometic fridge from the RV wiring and run an extension cord to a plug, not on the same circuit. This has been code for a few cycles. Jul 21, 2023 · A short circuit can trip the breaker and should be addressed promptly to prevent potential electrical hazards. Let us in this write up discuss the reasons for which a fridge generally trips circuit breaker. When your refrigerator keeps tripping the breaker, it can be frustrating and inconvenient. Much like the short circuit, a ground fault surge happens when the hot wire comes in contact with a ground wire or conductive surface. Sep 4, 2023 · A fridge can often pull upwards of 10+amps momentarily when starting the compressor. A tripped breaker isn’t a bad thing (unless it leads to everything in your fridge spoiling). jepwpn reug emewxog uqo euhg snbzj ygvdiwd hpwxbpg tviql shfyb pmkx vjztla exzghqt oetueb ougug