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Re: [TenTec] GFCI problem when running high power

To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] GFCI problem when running high power
From: "Mike Hyder -N4NT-" <mike_n4nt@earthlink.net>
Reply-to: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2007 21:44:58 -0400
List-post: <mailto:tentec@contesting.com>
Hi, John--

I had a similar problem. One GFCI protecting the kitchen, garage, outdoor and bath outlets. Because the chain of outlets was so long, I figured it was putting enough of my signal into the GFCI to trip it. My solution was to replace it with a standard breaker and then install individual GFCI outlets. No more trouble.

73, Mike N4NT

----- Original Message ----- From: "John K Gotwals" <john@gotwals.com>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 2:25 PM
Subject: [TenTec] GFCI problem when running high power


I am using an Orion to drive my Drake L-4B, and I operate mostly on 40
meters. My antenna is a 110 feet long dipole, center-fed with open-wire feed
line, and elevated about 30 feet with the support for one end attached to
the house chimney. My shack is in a 2nd floor bedroom, and the circuit
breaker panel is located in the basement at the opposite end of the house.
The house has a brick exterior, and one end of the antenna is only a few
feet from the shack.

When I operate high power on 40 meters, a GFCI equipped circuit breaker,
which is located in the house circuit breaker panel, moves to the open
position. None of my station equipment is attached to this breaker; this
particular breaker powers four outlets in the garage and two outlets on the
house exterior. None of these outlets are normally in use. Is it possible
(or even desirable) to install one or more bypass capacitors inside the
breaker panel, and immediately adjacent to, the ground-fault circuit
interrupter? If so, what type of capacitor is recommended?

John, N9JG


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