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Charging keeps blowing circuit breaker

Discussion in 'Prime Plug-in Charging' started by primecandidate, Aug 4, 2017.

  1. primecandidate

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    I bought the Prime Plus yesterday.
    I've tried to charge it using the cable plugged into my GFCI plug (120 volt) on the back porch. However, after about an hour, the plug's reset button pops and the charging stops (because there's no current).
    Anybody experienced this? It's not blowing the switches on my panel in the basement. Whatever is happening, happens at the level of the plug.
    I don't know if the green light on the cable is sending out a code before this happens.
    All I know is I plug it in, everything's fine, I come back later (an hour or so) and the session has ended because the red button on the GFCI plug has ejected.
     
  2. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Sounds like a problem either with the GFCI receptacle or the charger. Since the charger is new and the receptacles are known to fail I would replace the receptacle if you cannot try charging with a different receptacle to test first.
     
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  3. priuscatprimeguy

    priuscatprimeguy Senior Member

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    Probably not a current issue, but there's a setting on the MID that lets you lower the amperage that the charger charges at from 12 amps to 8 amps.
     
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  4. krushmoto

    krushmoto Member

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    A GFCI outlet should not normally trip for an overloaded circuit. GF outlets only protect for GF nothing else.
    I was charging my car recently when I decided to use the vacuum on the same circuit which happens to be in the GF series. The outlet was fine and the main breakers tripped which means it was overloaded.
    Try another gfci outlet and see if you get the same problem. If it doesn't trip then you know it's the outlet and not the charger.
    On a side note GF outlets are not recommended for electronics that cycle on/off like a fridge or a/c since it may cause a false trip.
    I know confusing but hope it helps.

    Nexus 6P ?
     
  5. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    I agree - likely a faulty or worn-out GFCI outlet.
     
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  6. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    You scared me. When I saw "blew" in the title, I thought it meant "blew!" Whew. Glad it was just tripped. As has been mentioned, a tripped gfci has notheing to do with the load current. It makes sure that no power goes to ground, hence the name "ground fault."

    I installed a gfci in my garage for my PiP and it trips, too. Brand new. Some are just more sensitive because it doesn't trip other gfci outlets. But, strangely, other stuff doesn't trip that outlet.
     
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  7. PT Guy

    PT Guy Senior Member

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    Does the GFCI device feel warm to the touch just after it trips?
    Is it on a 15 or 20 amp feeder? (You can see this in your circuit breaker panel.)
    Is anything else running on that circuit when you're trying to charge the car?
    If you deenergize the circuit and pull the device out, is anything black & crispy?

    These are supposed to trip only if there is a ground fault, but they aren't built the best. It's probably wise to just put in a new one.
     
  8. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    There's a possibility that part of the plug is coming in contact with the "test" button on the GFCI and "tripping" it. I've had this happen with an extension cord I use when doing yard work. I found that moving the plug to the other outlet on the duplex prevents this from happening. Just a thought...
     
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  9. primecandidate

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    No, I haven't noticed its feeling hot. (I've now pulled it out of the wall but haven't disconnected it yet.)
    20 amps.
    It's on the "kitchen lights/porch lights" circuit, that's all.
    Update: I tried charging with another outlet on the front porch (the one in question's on the back porch) and the charging cycle is fine, no interruptions! I think I'll replace the outlet in question.
     
    #9 primecandidate, Aug 7, 2017
    Last edited: Aug 7, 2017
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  10. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Now you're talking. It has nothing to do with amperage when the gfci button pops. It's either current leaking to ground in the device or a bad gfci outlet. Since it works in another gfci outlet, that points to a faulty outlet. Let us know how it works with a new outlet.
     
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  11. primecandidate

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    Does anyone have an opinion on whether I should replace the faulty GFCI plug with another of the same kind? Is there something better for recharging purposes? (Altho' technically, this being my back porch, and moisture being an issue, I guess I'm supposed to use only GFCI.)
     
  12. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    I had the same thing happen to me. It was a brand new home. I charged fine for 6 months and it suddenly started randomly tripping the GFCI. I one by one unplugged every item and until only the EVSE trips the GFCI. I also noticed it coincided with raining. The electrician I don't think really listened to me. He just replaced the faulty GFCI. All has been well the past 2 years.
     
  13. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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  14. garglo

    garglo Member

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    Do you have a cover on it?
     
  15. Captmiddy

    Captmiddy Active Member

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    Unless you are putting in a dedicated circuit, you should definitely put a GFCI plug in. While the charging adapter itself has some ground fault capabilities, it is best not to rely on it alone given the distance from the box to the actual plug in the wall could cause issues if a ground fault should happen there. Since most people are probably letting their adapter hang by the plug, it is likely this is where a fault may occur.

    Additionally, having an outside plug not using a GFCI outlet, would likely not pass inspection. If you are doing your own electrical work here, you want to be very cautious as you can void insurance coverage on your home if you do something that would fail standard inspection. This of course would have to be identified as the source of a fire in your home to truly void the coverage, but is it worth the few dollars saved now?
     
  16. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Actually, if the circuit breaker is GFCI, the outlet does not need to be. Unfortunately, GFCI circuit breakers fail too. I had to replace one before we sold our house because the GFCI would not trip. :eek:
     
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  17. DavidA

    DavidA Prius owner since July 2009

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    I asked, and not too politely, that the electrician adding the dedicated 20A 120v circuit NOT put in a GFI outlet. No go. Had to meet the code. I even explained that the only thing I'd be plugging into the thing had its own GFI (the Toyota supplied 120v charger cord) and they might be in conflict as others have experienced this same unexpected shut-off problem.

    He also wanted to put in a GFI 240v 14-50 outlet on the 40A dedicated circuit for our Level2 charger (which also has a built-in GFI). Luckily, there wasn't a code for that, so he didn't have to place a GFI outlet there. Still not happy about the 120v. I haven't charged completely with the Toyota charger. Too painful to wait 5-6 hours. Some day, I'll try that option.
     
  18. primecandidate

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    Update: I went to Lowe's, bought a $21-dollar Legrand weather-resistant 15 amp GFCI outlet.
    The charger-cable worked fine for last night's overnight charge.
    That's only one night but so far, so good.
    I have, by the way, five GFCI outlets around my house. The one that went bad is a slightly different style from the other four (reset buttons are different color).
     
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  19. primecandidate

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    Yes
     
  20. primecandidate

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    Update: After more than a week of successful charging overnight, last night the GFCI popped a reset button.
    (I was wondering why I only had 28 miles showing in the AM, rather than the expected 32 (and-climbing) miles showing on the screen.)
     
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