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Subject - GFCI ?
tomasj I have 2 regular, grounded outlets downstream from a GFCI.
I also have a ceiling fan coming off the GFCI as well.
Everything is properly wired. I've check the outlets with
a GFCI Tester and all is well. When I turn on the switch for the fan, it pops the GFCI.
Any idea what's going on?

Thanks, JT
David Hyatt Sounds like some how the nuetral and ground in the fan are connected. Or maybe the neutral is switched instead of hot wire. Some how the neutral is shorting to ground check all connections. Let us know.
Scott Vickrey A GFCI works by comparing the current on the two wires that are supposed to be carrying current. The theory is simple if the current is the same then all the current that went out came back following it's proper path. If there is a difference then some of the current took an incorrect path(i.e. Ground wire or possibly a person). This would be considered by the GFCI as a ground fault condition and the GFCI will interrupt the circuit.
Knowing this, we can assume a ground fault or something that appears to the GFCI as a ground fault exist in the fan circuit.

Here's a list of possible causes listed in the order of probability.
  • The fan may be incorrectly wired using the ground as a current carrying conductor instead of the white wire.
  • The fan could have a short in it. This could even be a high resistance short.
  • The fan's electronic controls might be leaking enough current to ground to trip the GFCI.



tomasj Yes, exactly. In fact, when I remove the ground from the switch, the fan works and doesn't pop the GFCI. When I take the ground from the switch and touch it to the ground to the outlet it sparks and pops the GFCI.
Scott Vickrey I recommend getting an electrician over and fixing this. You can't leave the ground disconnected this is comparable to leaving a loaded gun laying around. You need to find out why this is happening and have it fixed.
tomasj Yes, I agree. I don't plan on leaving it as is. Was just doing some testing to try and narrow down the prob. I actually don't mind these types of issues now and again. Gets you thinking and helps you better understand how it all works and comes together. Will continue to sleuth this out. Already have some ideas on things to try.

Thanks.
David Hyatt Like Scott said earlier it may be the fan itself. Try hooking the ground back and unhooking the fan completely and see if this still happens.
tomasj I connected a regular light to the wire previously connected to the fan. It worked fine. I opened up the fan and lo and behold the black looked as though it was crushed in between 2 pieces of the fan with copper revealed. Guess this was touching the body of the fan and shorting it out. Going to get a new fan. Good to know the GFCI did it's job.

Thanks everyone for their feedback..
Scott Vickrey Thanks for asking JT.
They are sweet devices and a boon to electrical safety. I have never seen one lie. If your impressed with them then check out AFCI's the next promising step in electrical safety. If your interested in the latest technologies in electrical safety (like the GFCI) read this topic about AFCIs.
AFCI Related Topic
If you appreciated the added protection the GFCI afforded you then consider installing AFCIs for an almost total coverage of potential electrical problems and a great way to seriously reduce the risks of electrical fires. I'm certain that it won't be long before we see a combo AFCI/GFCI breaker.