0

Last night while coming home I found that a breaker had tripped. Looked around and didn't see issues so I flipped it back on. We'll call this GFCI breaker #1. Later the breaker tripped again but I didn't realize it was a different one let's call it #2. I didn't realize this is because one bedroom has a wall on circuit #1 and the rest of the bedroom on #2. I was trying to find a possible issue for it such as a bad device, appliance, etc. Couldn't so again I flipped it back on. Later that night again breaker #2 trips. About an hour later breaker #1 trips. I left them off and went to sleep :)

What could cause 2 GFCI breakers to trip? They are completely 2 different circuits. This is the first this has happened. These are the only GFCI breakers in the house. I'm not sure why they were added since both circuits are for bedrooms. None of the bedrooms have GFCI outlets.

UPDATE 10/24 - So in the last 2 days I've had no issues. The same devices were plugged in.

Updated with image of the two breakers.

enter image description here

Improve this question
10
  • 1
    Would unplug everything that is plugged into those two circuits, should isolate the problem is a device or the circuit. GFCI breakers trip for one of two reasons, an overload(like simple breakers) or a minor but dangerous ground fault(bad insulation, moisture/water on connections).
    – crip659
    Commented Oct 22, 2022 at 13:40
  • 2
    Are you sure they're GFCIs? Can you post photos of the breakers in question? (I suspect they're actually AFCIs, given what they serve)
    – ThreePhaseEel
    Commented Oct 22, 2022 at 14:27
  • 2
    Check to make sure there aren't any outdoor outlets, landscape lights through the walls to the outside.
    – JACK
    Commented Oct 22, 2022 at 14:29
  • Some models are also transient sensitive. I have them once in a while trip if the power blinks or lightning strikes close. It is never the same one each time. They are all located externally from the main panels.
    – Gil
    Commented Oct 22, 2022 at 15:05
  • When you say the breaker tripped. Is it a GFCI trip or an overcurrent trip? Also look at ThreePhaseEel's comment. It's unusual for GFCI's to be serving bedroom receptacles.
    – Retired Master Electrician
    Commented Oct 22, 2022 at 16:07

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
1

Unfortunately your Siemens GFCI breaker does not have an led that indicates which type of trip you have. The newer AFCI/GFCI combo's do.

Assuming that you tripping is not an overload, and the two circuits are on separate poles. My best guess would be that they are sharing a neutral somewhere downstream and at some random time either or both breakers are sensing a neutral imbalance and tripping out.

Also assuming that the shared neutral is between the breakers and the first device on both circuits. You can replace the GFCI breakers with standard breakers and provide a GFCI device at the first device of each circuit. Thus giving you the same protection you have only in two locations rather than one.

If the neutrals are intertwined between the both circuits and cannot be separated. Then you still need too replace both breakers and replace devices that the NEC requires to be on GFCI's with GFCI devices.

Hope this helps.

Improve this answer
1
  • It looks like the QPF2 type breakers do have the trip indicator LED functionality
    – ThreePhaseEel
    Commented Oct 23, 2022 at 15:09
0

Here is something that hardly is given much consideration. Breaker switches also get old like anything else in life.

To check for this to be in case. Swap it with another 15A breaker switch and see what happens. This way you know if it is the breaker switch or not.

Oh I should edit to add another thing. It doesn't matter if another 15A breaker switch is not GFCI. Swap them, it won't hurt a thing.

It is a simple thing to rule out, in case old age be the cause. You know like me. :-)

Take good care.

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.