GFCI breaker trips

WadeWill · 08-23-2020, 05:33 PM

So when the AC runs for a bit it tends to trip the breaker, but not the AC breaker according to my power supply box. Power supply says Gfci is 15 amps. AC 20amps. If I turn the 15amp breaker off nothing runs. I’m very confused but kinda new to the camper world. I understand electricity enough to know the basics. The AC is the culprit but why is it tripping the 15amp breaker. The AC I believe pull 16 amps. Is it possibly somebody has hacked the wiring. It is a newly acquired 2009 Jayco select 14HW. Why does it trip the 15amp? And yes the picture shows the 30amp off but it does not trip the main 30 amp at all. Only the 15amp.

**norty1** · 08-23-2020, 05:37 PM

16 amps draw will trip a 15 amp breaker.

WadeWill · 08-23-2020, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norty1

16 amps draw will trip a 15 amp breaker.

Yes I believe this as well. However I tell you that because the outlet the AC plugs in to says it’s rated for 16amps. I have not found that value on the AC unit itself and it has ran cold for quite some time before it trips. And my question is more towards the photo, where it says my AC is 20 amps and it is indeed a 20 amp receptacle but it trips the 15amp breaker that is labeled GFCi. And that 15 amp GFCI seems to control the entire pop up. It literally shuts down the lights the refrigerator, the microwave. The microwave also states it has its own breaker. Why can’t my appliances that have a designated breaker run off the designated breaker? This 15 amp breaker is acting like a main breaker. ��*

Grumpy · 08-23-2020, 06:36 PM

Are the main and the 15 amp wires switched? That's what it sounds like.

WadeWill · 08-23-2020, 06:44 PM

I was wondering like how that is possible. Will investigate this. The history of the camper came from a used/new dealer and an older couple used it once and realized it was too much work for them. I will look into the breaker being wired incorrectly. I see the receptacle shows some signs of arcing. Not sure why but the plug and receptacle aren’t showing a good connection.

**JFlightRisk** · 08-23-2020, 07:40 PM

That plug and receptacle should be replaced. Any arcing isn't good at all, and shows there has been reason to unplug and plug in a cord often.

I agree with checking to see if someone replaced breakers, and got wires mixed up in the process. Be careful, and make absolute certain that panel is dead before you work on it.

**norty1** · 08-23-2020, 07:43 PM

It will be harder to trouble shoot without seeing the unit. I'll let someone with more vision give it a try. A popup should not be to difficult to trace out.

WadeWill · 08-23-2020, 08:33 PM

So the 30 amp main shuts everything down. The 15 amp works only if the 30 amp is on. However neither of the 20amp breakers are active unless both the 30 amp and 15 amp are on. After the 30 amp and the 15 amp are on I can then turn on and off the 20 amp breakers and they will in fact individually control the microwave and the AC. However the 20 amp breakers are no good until both the 30 and 15 amp breakers are swithced on. Now when operating the AC I still am not understanding why the 15 amp breaker is tripping. I will replace the receptacle first and see if it operates. Anyone no why the breakers are not individual and why the microwave and AC will not work without the gfci breaker switched on?

sturgissteele · 08-23-2020, 09:21 PM

Seems the AC is somehow tied into the GFCI (15A) circuit and this pops the 15A breaker when the AC is running. But the problem must be bigger than that, considering all of what you mentioned above. I would consult a professional electrician to try and figure out what's going on and hopefully get it wired correctly. Don't chance having an electrical fire of it's wired incorrectly. My 2¢.

Cavie · 08-23-2020, 10:01 PM

GFI breaker goes to the GFI receptical. The receptical protects any outlet within 6' of a water supply. Including any outside outlet. This would be most of the outlets in a popup. The A/C is not controlled by the GFI breaker UNLESS it is plugged into and outside outlet. If it is wired that way, (many popups are) It needs to be on it's own 20 amp GFI outlet. Remove the panel cover and look at the wire size. 30 amp main breaker = #10 wire. 20 amp breaker = #12 wire. 15 amp breaker = #14 wire. GFI circuit is #14 wire. A/C will be #12 wire.

WadeWill · 08-24-2020, 07:19 AM

So I looked at the power converter and all wiring looks good. All have there own breaker. The 15 amp breaker running the gfci receptacles also is wire nutted and spliced with a black wire feeding the power inverter. I assume the fan motor. I am not familiar with how they work but is it possible this is bad and after it heats up it trips or it trips the breaker trying to turn on and this shuts down the grounds to everything? It is a ELX-30

Cavie · 08-24-2020, 09:30 AM

Too much load on the 15 amp breaker. If you have room for another twin breaker install it and split the load.

Marcm157 · 08-24-2020, 11:06 AM

The GFCI in your pic is a 20 Amp outlet as it has the T shaped Neutral slot in it. As Cavie says check wire size behind the outlet.

poohbear · 08-24-2020, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Are the main and the 15 amp wires switched? That's what it sounds like.

That's my 1st thought as well.

WadeWill · 08-25-2020, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Are the main and the 15 amp wires switched? That's what it sounds like.

BINGO! Over looked this the first time I checked it I didn’t pull the breakers I just did a quick visual of the wires and didn’t really see what I thought I was seeing. Pulled the breaker and look what I found!

Thanks everyone!

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