Electrical – Breakers tripping when power returns.

electrical

Nearly all of the GFCI and ARC Fault breakers trip when power returns after an outage . This is a home setting, 200 amp main with a 100 amp generator main. This has been wired with no problems since 2006. It has happened twice in a row in two weeks. Since we are gone alot, it posses a refrigeration concern. Any ideas?

Best Answer

It is possible that the electric utility has a problem in their wiring. Specifically if the neutral or ground are not well connected, reconnecting the power from upstream could cause lopsided voltages due to a wandering ground.

The easiest diagnostic would be to request the utility to verify their wiring which they ought to do for free. If they won't or can't, you can rent a power quality analyzer and see for yourself. enter image description here

Be sure to test nominal power and during switching "off" and then "on" your main breaker. If the analyzer shows electrical problems, provide the details to your utility and they should fix it pronto.

If the test shows a ground problem, it might be on your end. Then it will be up to you to fix your grounding system