answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Yes, it can.

Our bathroom GFI trips, when my wife uses one particular hair drier.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

AnswerBot

6mo ago

Yes, a hair dryer can trip a GFCI receptacle if there is a ground fault, electrical short, or moisture present that triggers the GFCI's safety mechanism. It is important to ensure that the hair dryer and the outlet are in good working condition to prevent tripping the GFCI.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

17y ago

yes

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Can a hair dryer trip a gfi receptacle?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

If you install a 30A 240V GFI breaker will this be ok or will the cycles the dryer has prematurely fail the breaker?

Installing a 30A 240V GFI breaker for a dryer should be fine as long as the wiring and dryer itself are compatible with the breaker. The GFI breaker is designed to protect against electrical faults and should not be affected by the cycles of the dryer. Make sure to follow the installation instructions carefully to ensure proper functioning.


Plugging an electric heater into a GFI outlet caused the lights and other outlets to go out but didn't trip the circuit breaker why?

It's possible that the GFI outlet was overloaded by the electric heater, causing it to shut off power to prevent a potential hazard. The circuit breaker may not have tripped because it was on a different circuit from the GFI outlet. It's important to have a licensed electrician inspect the outlet and wiring to ensure safety.


Why would a GFCI trip with no load connected?

Are any of the outlets OUTDOORS? If so, and if an outlet is getting wet, it will trip the GFIC immediately. If that's not it, unplug everything, reset the GFI and see what happens. If it still trips, make certain that the wires aren't getting wet somewhere. If THAT'S not helpful, replace the GFI.


Why does my GFI circuit trip every few weeks even with nothing is plugged and the outlet was already replaced?

There could be a few reasons why your GFI circuit keeps tripping. It could be due to a faulty GFCI outlet, wiring issues, excessive moisture in the area, or a ground fault in another part of the circuit. It would be best to have an electrician inspect the circuit to determine the exact cause of the recurring trips.


Gfi receptacle first in a line of seven other receptacles in new construction that works fine without the load of the other receptacles but does not work when you add the additional receptacles?

Check the wiring connections at each receptacle to ensure they are properly installed. It's possible that adding the additional receptacles is causing a wiring issue, such as a loose connection or incorrect wiring sequence, that is affecting the GFCI receptacle. Double-check the load and line terminals on the GFCI receptacle to ensure they are connected properly and that the additional receptacles are properly wired in sequence. If the issue persists, consult a qualified electrician for further assistance.

Related questions

Does Every Receptacle on the circuit have to be GFI in a work shop?

No


Can you put two switches and GFI receptacle in same box?

Yes, that is fine.


If you install a 30A 240V GFI breaker will this be ok or will the cycles the dryer has prematurely fail the breaker?

Installing a 30A 240V GFI breaker for a dryer should be fine as long as the wiring and dryer itself are compatible with the breaker. The GFI breaker is designed to protect against electrical faults and should not be affected by the cycles of the dryer. Make sure to follow the installation instructions carefully to ensure proper functioning.


What can you do if you're newly installed dryer keeps tripping the electrical panel repeatadly and it also trips the GFI in the Garage at the same time?

If the GFI that is tripping is a different circuit, there is electrical leakage between the circuit the GFI is controlling, and the dryer circuit. It is possible that there is some cross wiring in the electrical box. I would strongly recommend getting a licensed electrician to look at it, preferably before you have a fire. If the GFI is the same circuit as the one where the dryer is plugged in, you might want to have the dryer checked for leakage to ground. You should also check the dryer circuit's rating against the rating of the breaker in its circuit. A dryer typically takes 30A on usually a single two-gang breaker; if you have a larger dryer that pulls, say, 45A, a 30A breaker will always pop. It sounds to me like a bad electrician has, instead of buying a proper two-gang 30-A breaker, installed your dryer across two circuits, one being the garage GFI circuit; the dryer, because it pulls 220V, pulls an unbalanced load across the GFI and triggers it, and the other circuit breaker is triggered because it loses the extra power provided through the GFI. I cannot emphasize this enough: get this checked out and fixed. Now. Before you get a house fire.


What happens if you throw a switched on hair drier into water?

There are a couple things that could happen, worst of all would be harming yourself. If the dryer was plugged into a working GCFI receptacle, then nothing should happen except the little red button on the GFI would trip. They are designed to trip faster than a heart beat. If the dryer is plugged into a regular plug circuit and if the breaker is working, then it will just trip as this will cause a "short" circuit. If the breaker is not working, then most likely there will be lots of sparks because it doesn't trip. Something should trip, even the 100 amp main should go. The only time you would be in trouble is if you are in between the circuit somehow. ie, you are holding onto the tap at the same time and there is copper Plumbing, or you are holding the dryer when you put it in. My recommendation, just don't do that.... Andy The above answer is not entirely accurate. If it is a properly functioning GFI circuit then yes the GFI should trip. The key feature of GFIs is that they detect the difference between the current being supplied and the current returning. If you drop a drier in a bathtub then at least some of the current will be grounded through the plumbing (and you along the way). So the GFI should trip and they trip quickly. However if it is a regular circuit breaker then you do *not* have any guarantee that it will protect you. The water *may* short the drier and cause a large enough current flow to trip the breaker. However it may not. It could have enough resistance to limit the current below 15A or whatever the circuit breaker trips at. In which case it won't trip at all. Regular circuit breakers are there to prevent short circuits from overloading the wiring which would burn your house down. They're *not* there to prevent you from being electrocuted. You, and even a bathtub of water, have resistance which depending on various factors may be enough to avoid overloading a regular circuit breaker.


What happens if you throw a switched-on hair drier into water?

There are a couple things that could happen, worst of all would be harming yourself. If the dryer was plugged into a working GCFI receptacle, then nothing should happen except the little red button on the GFI would trip. They are designed to trip faster than a heart beat. If the dryer is plugged into a regular plug circuit and if the breaker is working, then it will just trip as this will cause a "short" circuit. If the breaker is not working, then most likely there will be lots of sparks because it doesn't trip. Something should trip, even the 100 amp main should go. The only time you would be in trouble is if you are in between the circuit somehow. ie, you are holding onto the tap at the same time and there is copper plumbing, or you are holding the dryer when you put it in. My recommendation, just don't do that.... Andy The above answer is not entirely accurate. If it is a properly functioning GFI circuit then yes the GFI should trip. The key feature of GFIs is that they detect the difference between the current being supplied and the current returning. If you drop a drier in a bathtub then at least some of the current will be grounded through the plumbing (and you along the way). So the GFI should trip and they trip quickly. However if it is a regular circuit breaker then you do *not* have any guarantee that it will protect you. The water *may* short the drier and cause a large enough current flow to trip the breaker. However it may not. It could have enough resistance to limit the current below 15A or whatever the circuit breaker trips at. In which case it won't trip at all. Regular circuit breakers are there to prevent short circuits from overloading the wiring which would burn your house down. They're *not* there to prevent you from being electrocuted. You, and even a bathtub of water, have resistance which depending on various factors may be enough to avoid overloading a regular circuit breaker.


Plugging an electric heater into a GFI outlet caused the lights and other outlets to go out but didn't trip the circuit breaker why?

It's possible that the GFI outlet was overloaded by the electric heater, causing it to shut off power to prevent a potential hazard. The circuit breaker may not have tripped because it was on a different circuit from the GFI outlet. It's important to have a licensed electrician inspect the outlet and wiring to ensure safety.


Can you plug 230 volt 60 Hz 4.8 A pump into a household receptical with a GFI breaker?

No. A household receptacle is 120V. It will not work.


Why would a GFCI trip with no load connected?

Are any of the outlets OUTDOORS? If so, and if an outlet is getting wet, it will trip the GFIC immediately. If that's not it, unplug everything, reset the GFI and see what happens. If it still trips, make certain that the wires aren't getting wet somewhere. If THAT'S not helpful, replace the GFI.


What would happen if you used a hair dryer in a bathroom?

People use hair dryers in bathrooms daily. You just need to follow safety precautions to prevent the dryer from shorting out, which could cause injury or even death. Many bathroom outlets are equipped with GFI or GFS safety switches and these should be used for maximum safety.Precautions:Do not pull the dryer plug out by the cord.Do not immerse the dryer in water.Do not let the dryer motor become wet.Handle the dryer with dry hands when possible.Do not stand barefoot on a wet or concrete floor, or in a bathtubDo not use a dryer that has a worn or damaged cord.Do not use a dryer that emits smoke, sparks, or loud noises.Do not use adapters or extension cords..


Why does my GFI circuit trip every few weeks even with nothing is plugged and the outlet was already replaced?

There could be a few reasons why your GFI circuit keeps tripping. It could be due to a faulty GFCI outlet, wiring issues, excessive moisture in the area, or a ground fault in another part of the circuit. It would be best to have an electrician inspect the circuit to determine the exact cause of the recurring trips.


Who makes admiral air?

I have a Admiral window AC unit with the GFI built into the cord and the GFI keeps tripping. I have changed and check the power oulet and power. No trouble there. What would cause this GFI to trip intermentently? The unit is less than two years old.