tester trips AFCI's

[nspctrdan]

hi y'all....i'm using an inexpensive receptacle tester with a GFCI test button. Every time I plug my tester into a bedroom receptacle that is AFCI protected the AFCI breaker trips back at the panel. Anyone know what's going on and why? Thanks!

[hausdok]

Hi,

Nope, don't know. Dump the cheap tester and get something you can rely on.

I once did an inspection for an electrician who was buying an 11 year old home. My SureTest ST-1D indicated that half of the outlets in the home were ungrounded. The electrician opined that my tester was faulty and asked if I had a "real" detector. "Oh, you mean one of these?" I asked as I pulled a $12. 3-light tester out of my bag.

"Yeah, that's what I mean. Let me test 'em with that," he said. I handed the tester to him and he re-tested all of the outlets involved. Every one showed a ground. "See, that gadget is all screwed up. These are fine," he said.

"Okay, you're the electrician," I replied, as I handed him a screwdriver, "How about pulling those covers and telling me whether there is a ground present?" So, he pulled all of the covers. Guess what? At every single receptacle some nimrod had snipped off the equipment grounding conductor.

Says the electrician, kind of sheepishly, "Man, I've got to get me one of those!" pointing to my SureTest ST-1D. My response was to hold up the two testers and say, "SureTest, almost $400. this thing, twelve bucks, which would you have believed if you were me?"

Nuff said.

ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!!

Mike

[Bill in Georgia]

AFCI breakers test for Ground Faults also. They test for ground faults above 30 milliamps whereas GFCIs test for ground faults between 4-6 milliamps.