Transcript
Troubleshooting- GFCI Nuisance Tripping
If you are having any issues with your Fountain, Aerator or Deicer and need some
help with troubleshooting, we hope this guide will help you out!
Goodluck!
Troubleshooting- GFCI Nuisance Tripping
Arbrux Limited control panels are manufactured with class A (GFCI) ground fault circuit interrupters. These are designed to shutoff the supply of power to equipment if there is a leakage current to ground.
Troubleshooting- GFCI Nuisance Tripping - Continued
Class A GFCI devices are very sensitive and occasionally may experience nuisance tripping. This may occur every minute, hour, day, week or longer. This can occur for many reasons. The most common cause of nuisance tripping is longer cable runs over 60 m (200 feet) in single phase applications. Three phase applications are also affected by nuisance tripping in longer cable lengths. Other causes in all applications may be caused by power spikes or surges from the local utility, VFD drives and high power signals.
Troubleshooting- GFCI Nuisance Tripping - Continued
In order to determine the cause of the nuisance tripping the complete pump and cable assembly should have an insulation resistance test performed to ensure that they are not the cause of the tripping. A guide to the readings for a megger test are below. If a Hi Pot tester is available it should be set at 1.2 KV and should have a leakage current of less than 20mA.
Troubleshooting- GFCI Nuisance Tripping - Continued
If the pump and cable assembly are in good condition then one option to correct the problem is to shorten the cable length if possible to reduce the cause of nuisance tripping. If shortening the cable is not possible then installing a GFCI with a higher trip setting may be an option. The class A GFCI interrupter supplied by the factory is set to trip at less than 6 mA, higher trip settings are typically at 10 and 30 mA. If a higher trip setting GFCI is installed by the customer then it may not meet local or national codes and all subsequent liability is assumed by the owner.
Troubleshooting– Megger Test
If ground fault circuit interrupter trips and there are no signs of damage to power cable or pump motor then the insulation integrity must be tested. A qualified electrician must perform an insulation resistance test. Using a normal multi meter will not perform this test. The table below gives nominal values for acceptable insulation resistance when performing the insulation resistance test at 500 to 1000 volts.
Condition of Motor and Leads Ohm Value
MegOhm Value
A new pump motor( without submersible cable)
20,000,000 (or more)
20.0 (or more)
A used pump motor which can be reinstalled 10,000,000(or more)
10.0 (or more)
A new pump motor in water. Ohm readings are for power cable plus pump motor.
2,000,000 (or more)
2.0 (or more)
A pump motor in water in reasonably good condition
500,000-2,000,000
0.5-2.0
A pump motor that may have been damaged by lightning or with damaged power cable.
20,000-500,000
.02-0.5
Pump motor that has definitely been damaged or with damaged power cable. The motor should be disconnected from the power cable to determine if the damage is in the motor or cable.
10,000-20,000
0.01-0.02
A pump motor which has completely failed or with a completely damaged power cable. The motor should be disconnected from the power cable to determine if the damage is in the motor or cable.
Less than 10,000
0-0.01
Cable lengths longer than 60 m may cause GFCI nuisance tripping problems
“The Motor Wont Run”Problem Solution
Disconnect switch is off
Place in “ON” position
Main or control Fuse is blown/breaker tripped (if applicable)
Replace with proper size fuse
Overload tripped Reset Overload
Incorrect or no voltage Determine why voltage not available - broken wires, blown fuses, or disconnect switch off. If voltage is incorrect (ref. 120V Service and 230V Pump), customer must purchase proper voltage pump, or change power supply voltage to match pump
Motor winding open, shorted or grounded
Pull pump and replace motor or complete unit
Low voltage Check with Power Company. Install heavier wiring if wire size is too small. See wiring instructions
Pump Stuck, Binding or frozen
Pump may be bound from debris. It may be necessary to pull pump and flush out the inside to free it up. If frozen it will need to be brought in to a heated location.
“GFCI on the Circuit trips”
Problem Solution
Problem with electrical service Have a certified electrician
diagnose the problem and read instructions in manual pertaining to GFCI tripping for further information
Water contamination to wire
Is power cable cut or chewed
Bad breaker
Control box/Motor problems
“Motor Runs Hot and Overload Kicks Off”
Problem Solution
Motor is wired incorrectly Refer to wiring diagram for instructions on wiring
Voltage is too low Check with Power Company. Install heavier wiring if wire size is too small
“Motor Runs but no Water is Delivered”
Problem Solution
Intake or discharge area may be plugged
Clean intake screen and nozzle
Propeller/ Impeller may be damaged
Repair pump
“Little or no Water Delivered”
Problem Solution
Shorted run winding in motor Replace motor
Low voltage Contact Power Company for corrective action. Install heavier wiring if too small
Intake screen plugged Pull pump and clean screen
Pump parts worn Replace pump end or complete unit
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