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RE: quickie elect. question

To: <shop-talk@autox.team.net>
Subject: RE: quickie elect. question
From: "Randall" <tr3driver@comcast.net>
Date: Fri, 29 Apr 2005 20:41:50 -0700
> I always thought motors and compressors tripped GFCI because of the GFCI is
> comparing the
> current in the two power wires.  The windings in the motor, acting as an
> inductor, causes maximum current and maximum voltage to occur at different
> times.  Sorry I have been playing with
> computers too long and can not remember the correct term.  Is it power
> phase?

It's called various things, you're probably thinking of power factor or maybe
phase angle (which are different ways of looking at the same thing).

But, it shouldn't trip a GFCI, since a GFCI is supposed to operate only on
current.  It doesn't care if the current is out of phase with the voltage.

I run a half-horse submersible pump off a GFCI, and it's never tripped it.

Randall






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