2. Troubleshooting- GFCI Nuisance Tripping
If you are having any issues with your Fountain, Aerator
or Deicer and need some help with troubleshooting, we
hope this guide will help you out!
Goodluck!
3. Troubleshooting- GFCI Nuisance Tripping
Arbrux Limited control panels are manufactured with
class A (GFCI) ground fault circuit interrupters. These
are designed to shutoff the supply of power to
equipment if there is a leakage current to ground.
4. Troubleshooting- GFCI Nuisance Tripping - Continued
Class A GFCI devices are very sensitive and occasionally
may experience nuisance tripping. This may occur every
minute, hour, day, week or longer. This can occur for
many reasons. The most common cause of nuisance
tripping is longer cable runs over 60 m (200 feet) in
single phase applications. Three phase applications are
also affected by nuisance tripping in longer cable
lengths. Other causes in all applications may be caused
by power spikes or surges from the local utility, VFD
drives and high power signals.
5. Troubleshooting- GFCI Nuisance Tripping - Continued
In order to determine the cause of the nuisance tripping
the complete pump and cable assembly should have an
insulation resistance test performed to ensure that they
are not the cause of the tripping. A guide to the readings
for a megger test are below. If a Hi Pot tester is available
it should be set at 1.2 KV and should have a leakage
current of less than 20mA.
6. Troubleshooting- GFCI Nuisance Tripping - Continued
If the pump and cable assembly are in good condition
then one option to correct the problem is to shorten the
cable length if possible to reduce the cause of nuisance
tripping. If shortening the cable is not possible then
installing a GFCI with a higher trip setting may be an
option. The class A GFCI interrupter supplied by the
factory is set to trip at less than 6 mA, higher trip
settings are typically at 10 and 30 mA. If a higher trip
setting GFCI is installed by the customer then it may not
meet local or national codes and all subsequent liability
is assumed by the owner.
7. Troubleshooting– Megger Test
If ground fault circuit interrupter trips and there are no
signs of damage to power cable or pump motor then the
insulation integrity must be tested. A qualified
electrician must perform an insulation resistance test.
Using a normal multi meter will not perform this test.
The table below gives nominal values for acceptable
insulation resistance when performing the insulation
resistance test at 500 to 1000 volts.
8. Condition of Motor and Leads Ohm Value MegOhm
Value
A new pump motor( without submersible cable) 20,000,000
(or more)
20.0
(or more)
A used pump motor which can be reinstalled 10,000,000
(or more)
10.0
(or more)
A new pump motor in water. Ohm readings are for
power cable plus pump motor.
2,000,000
(or more)
2.0
(or more)
A pump motor in water in reasonably good condition 500,000-
2,000,000
0.5-2.0
A pump motor that may have been damaged by
lightning or with damaged power cable.
20,000-
500,000
.02-0.5
Pump motor that has definitely been damaged or with
damaged power cable. The motor should be
disconnected from the power cable to determine if the
damage is in the motor or cable.
10,000-
20,000
0.01-0.02
A pump motor which has completely failed or with a
completely damaged power cable. The motor should be
disconnected from the power cable to determine if the
damage is in the motor or cable.
Less than
10,000
0-0.01
Cable lengths longer than 60 m may cause GFCI nuisance tripping problems
9. “The Motor Wont Run”
Problem Solution
Disconnect switch is off Place in “ON” position
Main or control Fuse is
blown/breaker tripped (if
applicable)
Replace with proper size fuse
Overload tripped Reset Overload
Incorrect or no voltage Determine why voltage not available - broken wires, blown fuses, or
disconnect switch off. If voltage is incorrect (ref. 120V Service and
230V Pump), customer must purchase proper voltage pump, or
change power supply voltage to match pump
Motor winding open,
shorted or grounded
Pull pump and replace motor or complete unit
Low voltage Check with Power Company. Install heavier wiring if wire size is too
small. See wiring instructions
Pump Stuck, Binding or
frozen
Pump may be bound from debris. It may be necessary to pull pump
and flush out the inside to free it up. If frozen it will need to be
brought in to a heated location.
10. “GFCI on the Circuit trips”
Problem Solution
Problem with electrical service
Have a certified electrician
diagnose the problem and read
instructions in manual pertaining
to GFCI tripping for further
information
Water contamination to wire
Is power cable cut or chewed
Bad breaker
Control box/Motor problems
11. “Motor Runs Hot and Overload Kicks Off”
Problem Solution
Motor is wired incorrectly Refer to wiring diagram for
instructions on wiring
Voltage is too low Check with Power Company.
Install heavier wiring if wire size
is too small
12. “Motor Runs but no Water is Delivered”
Problem Solution
Intake or discharge area may be
plugged
Clean intake screen and nozzle
Propeller/ Impeller may be
damaged
Repair pump
13. “Little or no Water Delivered”
Problem Solution
Shorted run winding in motor Replace motor
Low voltage Contact Power Company for
corrective action. Install heavier
wiring if too small
Intake screen plugged Pull pump and clean screen
Pump parts worn Replace pump end or complete unit
14. We’re Here to Help
For any additional questions or support please email us at
sales@arbrux.com
Or, call us toll free at 888-211-3547
We’re open 24 hours online, at www.arbrux.com