Any Electricians here? GFI question

[Dekster]

For the last three days, every time someone shuts down the computer in our den, it trips the GFI breaker for that part of the house. It is a desktop/monitor/printer and speakers plugged into a power strip that is plugged into a GFI outlet. Is this likely the power strip or one of the devices causing it (since the power strip doesn't trip)? That room is converted garage space and is on the GFI breaker that includes all the outdoor stuff too but it only happens when the computer is shut down.

 

[Moonglow]

a short is the culprit.

 

[E. Pluribus]

Try here: DIY Home Improvement Forum

 

[KissMy]

The computer power supply likely has a small issue. However the GFCI's made in the last 10 years are very sensitive & can drive you crazy. I would just remove it until inspection time.

You could also use a three prong adapter to unground your computer from the power strip. Then hook up a multi-meter to check for a little voltage between ground & the green adapter wire or metal screw tab when you shut down PC.

My GFCI's kept tripping all over my house, because my neighbor has a broken neutral line, so his bonded neutral was sending power out through his ground rod that was about 20'ft away from mine. So his power was returning back up through my ground rod causing a lot of random GFCI tripping.

 

[evenflow1969]

For the last three days, every time someone shuts down the computer in our den, it trips the GFI breaker for that part of the house. It is a desktop/monitor/printer and speakers plugged into a power strip that is plugged into a GFI outlet. Is this likely the power strip or one of the devices causing it (since the power strip doesn't trip)? That room is converted garage space and is on the GFI breaker that includes all the outdoor stuff too but it only happens when the computer is shut down.

If it is happening on the shut down it is a short. If it was happening on start up it would be overload. Most likely the outlet that power strip is plugged into needs replaced. Can't be sure with our a continuity test. With our proper diagnostic tools start with replacing power strip and outlet. Next replace the GFI outlet that trips first in the line.

 

[Dekster]

If it is happening on the shut down it is a short. If it was happening on start up it would be overload. Most likely the outlet that power strip is plugged into needs replaced. Can't be sure with our a continuity test. With our proper diagnostic tools start with replacing power strip and outlet. Next replace the GFI outlet that trips first in the line.

Thanks. Will Try

 

[Crepitus]

For the last three days, every time someone shuts down the computer in our den, it trips the GFI breaker for that part of the house. It is a desktop/monitor/printer and speakers plugged into a power strip that is plugged into a GFI outlet. Is this likely the power strip or one of the devices causing it (since the power strip doesn't trip)? That room is converted garage space and is on the GFI breaker that includes all the outdoor stuff too but it only happens when the computer is shut down.

Switch on the power supply probably making a brief ground connection.

 

[KissMy]

If no other devices or computers cause that GFCI to trip, back-up your data & replace the computers power supply before it fails & ruins everything on your PC.

I would never plug a freezer, refrigerator, security system or PC into a GFCI or AFCI in the first place. Because they can trip causing you to lose valuable data & food.

Code allows for dedicated simplex non-GFCI outlets behind fridge, freezer & sensitive equipment.

 

[Muhammed]

For the last three days, every time someone shuts down the computer in our den, it trips the GFI breaker for that part of the house. It is a desktop/monitor/printer and speakers plugged into a power strip that is plugged into a GFI outlet. Is this likely the power strip or one of the devices causing it (since the power strip doesn't trip)? That room is converted garage space and is on the GFI breaker that includes all the outdoor stuff too but it only happens when the computer is shut down.

Sounds like the culprit may be the power switch on your computer shorting out.

Have you ever spilled anything on your computer?

 

[Dekster]

Sounds like the culprit may be the power switch on your computer shorting out.

Have you ever spilled anything on your computer?

No but I don't rule out the boy cats from peeing on it.

 

[Muhammed]

No but I don't rule out the boy cats from peeing on it.

What is the procedure you usually use to shut down your computer?

I'm thinking that it could also be the power switch on your monitor or some other peripheral that automatically shuts down when your computer shuts down.

 

[Dekster]

What is the procedure you usually use to shut down your computer?

I'm thinking that it could also be the power switch on your monitor or some other peripheral that automatically shuts down when your computer shuts down.

We do the normal windows shutdown and then use a remote to cut off the monitor. I moved the power strip to another outlet and hasn't happened since so I am suspecting it is something in that first wall outlet

 

[Muhammed]

We do the normal windows shutdown and then use a remote to cut off the monitor. I moved the power strip to another outlet and hasn't happened since so I am suspecting it is something in that first wall outlet

Is that a GFCI outlet? If not, I'm suspecting that KissMy is correct in post #4. It could be an issue with the power supply in your computer.

Do you hear any abnormal noises or detect any odors when it happens?

Bad capacitors can cause a surge when they discharge on shut down.

 

[Dekster]

Is that a GFCI outlet? If not, I'm suspecting that KissMy is correct in post #4. It could be an issue with the power supply in your computer.

Do you hear any abnormal noises or detect any odors when it happens?

Bad capacitors can cause a surge when they discharge on shut down.

It looks like a normal outlet but everything in that room has GFI.

 

[Muhammed]

It looks like a normal outlet but everything in that room has GFI.

If they are all on the same GFI circuit then by a process of elimination that seems to go back to the first paragraph of post #4. Power supply.

But you should eliminate any wiring problems first.

Is any of the garage wiring DIY? Or was it exclusively done by a professional?

What sort of testing equipment do you have?

 

[KissMy]

I just discovered that some computer power supplies have integrated GFCI built in. Most GFCI's can't be daisy-chained. So plugging a GFCI power supply into a GFCI outlet is very likely going to cause erroneous tripping.