[TenTec] GFI Problems

[Duane A Calvin]

Hello Charles,
        GFI breakers are very sensitive, and can trip from induced
current if you have just a long circuit attached to it (I think they're
spec'ed to be OK up to 100' (or 150' - I forget the exact number.)  Just
a wind current on a long outside wire will trip them.  So, it's not a
surprise you might induce enough current in that circuit to trip the GFI.
 You might try changing out the GFI outlet on the off-chance that it is
deteriorating with age and tripping more easily than it should. 
Otherwise, perhaps rearranging the antenna a bit might reduce the current
enough to stop the problem.  

        73,  Duane


On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 22:34:53 -0500 Charles Greene <w1cg at qsl.net> writes:
> Hi,
> 
> I hooked up my Swan Linear to my OMNI-VI and had some RF in the 
> shack when 
> using my Windom antenna which I cured by installing a couple of 1:1 
> baluns 
> in the coax feed line, but I still have one problem I haven't solved 
> 
> yet.  When I transmit, the upstairs bathroom Ground Fault Isolator 
> trips, 
> probably on RF.  The antenna is about 15 ft from the GFI, so the 
> wires 
> going to the GFI may be picking up the RF directly from the antenna. 
>  On my 
> vertical which is about 30 ft from the GFI, there are no RF 
> problems.  Has 
> anyone had this problem, and what did you do to eliminate it?   I 
> must be 
> somewhat common because I was talking to a local ham who had and 
> still has 
> the same problem.  I was thinking about installing some .001 ufd 
> caps 
> across the wires in the bathroom wall coming into the GFI 
> receptacle.  I 
> don't know if that would do the job or make it worse.
> 
> TNX for the bandwidth
> 
> Chas, W1CG
> 
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> 


Duane Calvin, AC5AA
Austin, Texas