![]() However, a 2-prong appliance is unlikely to cause a GFCI trip unless it is ground faulting internally and it contacts something grounded. So an additional appliance (like the vacuum) can "push it over the edge" as it were. ![]() Keep in mind that small leakage from several appliances can add up to enough leakage to trip a GFCI device. It's simply ground-faulting of the various appliances. This puts the "random trips" in a whole new light. As such, they were a code violation and need to have the sticker added. The reason this wasn't apparent to you is that the receps did not have the mandatory sticker: GFCI Protected. In fact that is exactly what a GFCI breaker is doing: protecting the whole circuit. So if you have a GFCI recep at spot 1, and cable going onward to spot 2, there is an option to wire it so the GFCI recep at 1 protects both the cable to 2 and the outlet at 2. The GFCI rabbit hole gets weirder: Any GFCI device (recep, breaker, deadfront, switch, combo switch/recep) can protect downline circuits. Worth noting(?) this 15A breaker that keeps tripping is the only one in the panel with a test button. Or maybe replace the 15A breaker itself, except that I assume it's doing what it's supposed to do - trip when there's a problem on the circuit. My next thought is to replace all 3 outlets with GFCI outlets and see if that resolves this. I would like to spare the expense of an electrician, if I can. I've since read on this site that these cheap GFCI testers are not really good for old wiring troubleshooting, but I didn't know that prior to purchasing one. Looking for some guidance on what this means. Sometimes the vacuum running in the living room will flip it, despite those other outlets apparently not being connected to the 3 outlets on the circuit in question. Breaker randomly flips, often when the A/C kicks on or is running (not on same circuit, per the breaker panel) or the pool filter is running (connecting to outdoor outlet in question) or a hair dryer is used in one of the 2 bathroom outlets in question. I have replaced all 3 outlets myself since moving in, but this overall problem persisted prior to me replacing the 3 outlets (2 bathroom, 1 outdoor) - and has persisted since outlet replacement. When I insert the GFCI tester into other non-GFCI outlets in the house and push the button, nothing happens - outlet remains hot and the connected source breaker in the panel does not flip. Far as I can tell these are the only connections on that 15A breaker. When I insert the GFCI tester into the any of 3 known outlets on the circuit (2 bathroom outlets, 1 outdoor outlet) and push the button on the tester, the 15A breaker in the panel flips, killing power to all 3 outlets and the hall lights. (Those little three-pronged things with 2 yellow/1 red light and a "GFCI test" button) The outlets do not have Test/Reset buttons- there's no labeling for GFCI anywhere. Trouble shooting steps: I have an outdoor power outlet and two bathroom power outlets that do not appear to be GFCI. Problem: 15A single-pole breaker in panel randomly trips - has been doing so since buying house in 2009 (house built in 1987) Level of electrical wiring knowledge: Very basic, if that
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