Possible problem with GFCI outlet after power outages

[JoeM]

I lost power twice a short time back due to nearby construction and at that time a GFCI duplex outlet that has a medium sized refrigerator on it in my basement turned off. The fridge continually trips the GFCI now when I plug it in.

Here's the weird thing: I can't trip the GFCI with anything else I plug into it and the fridge works fine when plugged into another outlet. I called the builder who finished my basement and he thinks the problem is something that is wrong with the fridge and it's causing a grounding problem. He said if you can trip the GFCI with something else it would show that its the GFCI and running the fridge on a non GFCI outlet won't show the fridge problem.

So I got a heavy duty extension cord and connected the fridge to a GFCI outlet in a bathroom some distance away from the fridge, on the level above, figuring a fridge problem should trip that GFCI too. Turns out the fridge is working fine and didn't trip the GFCI in the bathroom.

I've been thinking that the two power outages affected the basement GFCI outlet somehow but I'm stumped as only the fridge trips it. Any ideas as to what's going on?

TIA

[JoeM]

Update:

I just reset the basement GFCI and plugged the fridge in and it didn't trip and fridge is working fine. I was able to do this the other night and thought everything was ok but on checking the next morning the GFCI was tripped again so I guess I'm going to see if it continues to trip at some point.

[macphanatic]

What else is on the GFCI circuit that trips? I wonder if it's tripping because it's overloaded at times. It also may be a cheap builder grade GFCI that has tripped once too many times. I might start with replacing the GFCI.

I like to plug my refrigerators and freezers into dedicated circuits. Not sure how far your panel is from where the refrigerator is, but I would look at this option as well. A 15 amp circuit should be more than sufficient for just a refrigerator.

[GGD]

I've had a similar problem with my 25 year old garage fridge after a long power outage. I even replaced the GFCI outlet thinking that was the cause.

After happening again with the new outlet after another long outage I came to the conclusion that it's a legitimate fault/trip, and probably related to melted ice/frost internal to the freezer that's getting into some places that it probably shouldn't. So if/when it happens now, I just plug the fridge into an extension cord to a non-GFCI outlet for about a week until everything freezes and it goes through defrost cycles, and then it's fine when switching back to the GFCI again.

[JoeM]

macphanatic wrote:
What else is on the GFCI circuit that trips? I wonder if it's tripping because it's overloaded at times. It also may be a cheap builder grade GFCI that has tripped once too many times. I might start with replacing the GFCI.

I like to plug my refrigerators and freezers into dedicated circuits. Not sure how far your panel is from where the refrigerator is, but I would look at this option as well. A 15 amp circuit should be more than sufficient for just a refrigerator.

There’s a small wine cooler. I thought that too except it’s been there for two years with no issues. I’ve got them on a 15 amp circuit and had no issues until the power outages that PSE&G caused. My thought is either the GFCI got affected by the outages or maybe the reset in it is a bit wonky.

[JoeM]

GGD wrote:
I've had a similar problem with my 25 year old garage fridge after a long power outage. I even replaced the GFCI outlet thinking that was the cause.

After happening again with the new outlet after another long outage I came to the conclusion that it's a legitimate fault/trip, and probably related to melted ice/frost internal to the freezer that's getting into some places that it probably shouldn't. So if/when it happens now, I just plug the fridge into an extension cord to a non-GFCI outlet for about a week until everything freezes and it goes through defrost cycles, and then it's fine when switching back to the GFCI again.

That’s a good idea. Not sure it’s my issue but I’ll keep it in mind, thanks.

[bfd]

We've had to replace GFCIs when they start getting flaky like this. Pretty easy, and not an expensive fix. Power outages and subsequent power up can exacerbate the problem of flakability.

[mattkime]

I the GFCI outlet just needs to be replaced.

[JoeM]

mattkime wrote:
I the GFCI outlet just needs to be replaced.

Yep I agree. The builder that did the job is stopping by tomorrow to replace it.

[cbelt3]

Yeah, GFCI’s do wear out over time.