Re: Capacitor to bypass GFI outlet?

[Charles Sullivan <cwsulliv@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The simplest, cheapest thing to try is to temporarily replace the
GFCI outlet with a regular (non-GFI) outlet - around $0.60 at Loews.
Test to see if it makes any difference.  If not, put back the original
GFCI and look elsewhere for the problem.

As it happens I've installed/replaced a couple of GFCIs into
which appliance modules are plugged.  And I just remembered
that I bought a box of three and still have the box.  These
are Cooper model XGF15W.  I'm pretty sure I got them at
Loews; if not it would have been at Home Depot.

On Mon, 02 Jan 2006 18:36:40 -0700, Chris Shearer Cooper
wrote:

> If there's a reasonably-priced X-10 friendly GFI outlet, that sounds like a
> better plan ... but I have no idea how to find out which ones are friendly
> and which ones ain't ...
>
> "Robert Green" <ROBERT_GREEN1963@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:I-qdnb7k4KNGCiXenZ2dnUVZ_sGdnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxx
>> "Chris Shearer Cooper" <chrisnews@xxxxxxx> wrote in
>>
>> <stuff snipped>
>>
>>> That is, what would happen if I attached a 0.1 uF 600V
>>> cap from the line to the load? Would the X-10 signal get through?
>>> Would it affect the ability of the GFI outlet to detect ground faults?
>>
>> [/sermon on]
>>
>> Sorry to feel compelled to butt in here.  Even the slightest chance that
>> such a mod could compromise your GFI's ability to protect you makes your
>> proposed mod a very bad idea.  As Tom noted, the wrong capacitor choice
>> could have serious consequences.
>>
>> It seems that some GFI's are X-10 friendly, and some aren't.  Therefore, I
>> respectfully submit that the better course of action is to find a GFI that
>> presents no problem to X-10 and switch yours out.  It would also be
>> helpful
>> to the whole X-10 user universe to identify the make and model of the GFI
>> so
>> that brand can be avoided by others.
>>
>> [/sermon ended]
>>
>> I don't recall if you ever fully explained your X-10 problem in detail in
>> the OP, so it may be that your proposed fix won't do anything at all.  The
>> GFI may be a signal sink.  It may even be functioning perfectly and the
>> X-10
>> interference/attenuation is coming from something other device(s) along
>> the
>> circuit path.
>>
>> Personally, I'd do a little more investigation into the nature of the
>> problem before assuming the GFI is not passing signals.  That's doubly
>> true
>> when the modification has the potential to cripple the life-saving
>> function
>> of the unit.  The capacitor fix is designed to couple opposing phases at
>> the
>> breaker box or at a 220V outlet. I've never read or heard of it being
>> applied to a GFI.
>>
>> Your local electrical inspector would probably have a canary or two if you
>> started adding external components to a GFI.  Could you live with yourself
>> if someone in your house died as a result of a GFI failure because of the
>> mod?  You're going to be working in the electrical box anyway, how much
>> does
>> a new GFI cost?  $10?  You'll probably expend the same amount of effort
>> locating just the right value and type of capacitor!
>>
>> --
>> Bobby G.
>>
>>
>>