I remodeled my kitchen down to the studs in late 2020, installing all-new wiring, electrical panels, and a sparkling new refrigerator, all done with permits and according to code. My fridge is on its own dedicated circuit, but every year or so, its breaker trips—sometimes when I'm not home, leading to a fridge full of spoiled food. The breakers are Siemens CAFCI types, and the first electrician blamed the trips on their sensitivity. Now I'm wondering what my options are: 1) Should I replace it with a standard breaker (though I'm not sure if that's legal)? 2) Or get a new CAFCI breaker in case the design has improved? 3) Should I just roll the dice and hope it doesn't happen again? If I switch the breaker, how easy is it to do myself? Do I need an electrician for this job?
3 Answers
Motors really don’t get along with AFCIs. When I remodelled, mine tripped right after everything was done, so I opted for a regular breaker and haven’t looked back since. It’s been smooth sailing since then!
Yeah, switching to a standard breaker for the refrigerator can make sense here. The code seems weird for this situation, especially since it’s already on its own circuit. The risk of tripping and losing a fridge full of food outweighs the low risk of a ground fault. I’d say go for it if it’s allowed in your area!
Replacing with a new CAFCI might be a good first step, especially if you're worried about being out of code. Just be mindful that different versions can have different sensitivities. If it trips again, you can always go the standard route. And yeah, if you’re uncertain, it’s best to hire an electrician to avoid any safety issues.
Right! Just keep checking which version you get, they can be different with all those color codes. It seems straightforward, but getting a pro helps if you're not super comfortable with it.
Exactly! I had my fridge's CAFCI trip, and I lost everything. Switching to a standard breaker fixed the problem for me.