Chest Freezer on a GFCI Outlet? What to do?

Kyle5050

Kyle5050

Senior Member
Hey guys,

I bought a new GE 7.0 cubic ft chest freezer from Sams yesterday. After doing some research, I have read some horror stories of the GFCI tripping when the freezer compressor turns on, during thunder storms, or for no good reason at all. I certainly do not want to lose a whole freezer full of deer, dove, and duck.

I have read reviews on freezer alarms, and while that is a good idea, sometimes I am out of town for several days at a time on business.

I can't be the only guy keeping a chest freezer in the garage. What are you guys doing to prevent a possible meltdown? I have also read that NEW freezers and fridges should not trip GFCI plugs, so am I just overacting?

Thanks in advance! :flag:
Kyle
 
Havana Dude

Havana Dude

Senior Member
Changing the outlet will work, but be aware it may also be on a GFi breaker as well. Or, it could be tied in the same circuit as the kitchen. In other words, you replace the outlet with a regular one and no longer have GFI protection where it is needed, wet areas.
 
divinginn

divinginn

Senior Member
Trip the gfi recpt,then go around and check your bathroom and outside recpt to make sure they are not tied in with garage recpt. A older house may have bathrooms and garage together,the electric code changed in the 90s where bathroom recpts have to be on a separate circuit from anything else. If the garage outlet is seperate from the bathrooms or outside,I would change the recpt or it may be better just to run a dedicated circuit just for the freezer,if it is doable.
 
shakey gizzard

shakey gizzard

Senior Member
divinginn said:
Trip the gfi recpt,then go around and check your bathroom and outside recpt to make sure they are not tied in with garage recpt. A older house may have bathrooms and garage together,the electric code changed in the 90s where bathroom recpts have to be on a separate circuit from anything else. If the garage outlet is seperate from the bathrooms or outside,I would change the recpt or it may be better just to run a dedicated circuit just for the freezer,if it is doable.
Click to expand...

This and get the alarm!
 
Hooty Hoot

Hooty Hoot

Gone but not forgotten
ryanh487 said:
^this. I have my upright freezer in the garage and the only outlet was a GFCI, so I switched it for a regular outlet that was in my kitchen near the sink.
Click to expand...

You havn't done anything but change one that was marked for one that wasn't.
 
P

Panthers65

Senior Member
Dear God please don't try and change the outlet. After the dryer incident, we'll be cooking s'mores on the ashes of your house before it's all over.

call your brother
 
poolman67

poolman67

Senior Member
There are 2 different gfci outlets. There is a 15 amp and a 20 amp. I have all 20 amp in my house and my freezer has been on it for years.
 
mattech

mattech

Deranged Throat-Puncher
dawg2

dawg2

AWOL ADMINISTRATOR
GFCI's serve a purpose and keep people from being electrocuted. Run a new dedicated circuit or buy a UPS.
 
Michael F. Gray

Michael F. Gray

Senior Member
GFI's are typically utilized in enviorns that are close to moisture. Bathroms, kitchens, etc. I would not plug a freezer in to one. Changing to a standard plug is easy, just make certain it's on a circuit that's not overloaded, and has a breaker rated for the freezer.
 
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