Espresso machine trips GFI outlet

[Spencer]

This morning I let the Bricoletta (direct plumb) warm up as usual. I ran a cooling flush, then stopped it and put the PF in. When I lifted the lever to pull the shot the GFCI tripped. I reset the GFCI and the machine came back on and I it and tried again. No luck. As soon as I lifted the lever the GFCI tripped. The machine ran without incident yesterday, and nothing changed from the last time the machine worked. Everything else using the circuit, such as the grinder, work fine. Electronics isn't my strong suit, so if anyone has any suggestions on diagnosis I'd appreciate it.

Thanks.

[cafeIKE]

GFIs trip because there is a return path other than the neutral.
Perhaps you have a leak? It doesn't take much.

Like everything electric, GFIs fail, so if you have another GFI circuit, try it.
If both trip, fix the Bric.

[bobcraige]

The GFI it there to protect you and your equipment. It has already done that. The fact that it does not trip with other loads, but does with your machine indicates that the GFI is working and your machine has an electrical fault. Continuing to play with it can be dangerous to both you and your machine. Get it checked by a competent technician, it has a leakage path to ground. Plugging it into a non protected outlet could have serious ramifications, you have had the great fortune to be warned by the GFI, listen to the warning.

[cannonfodder]

You could also simply have a bad GFI outlet, plugging the machine into another GFI protected circuit would confirm/deny that. If it blows a second GFI circuit then there is something amiss in the machine. What is the amp rating on that GFI? Could you simply be exceeding the rated draw? Remember, electricity does not care, it will kill you regardless of your name/status/family/age...

I am not an electrician so take my advice with a grain of salt and your own risk.

[Spencer]

Thanks to everyone for the advice and cautions, especially as to the power of 15 amp circuits and their affect on people. I called Chris's Coffee this morning and we are working through some diagnostics. When the GFCI is reset, the heating element works, so the working premise is the machine and not the GFCI receptacle or the circuit. At the moment the micro switch is suspect as the GFCI trips only when the lever is pulled. I'll post the answer if we find the problem.

In answer to Dave, it's at least a 15 amp circuit. I had an electrician check it when I bought the Bric as I had to change the receptacle to accommodate the plug on the machine. There are some other GFCI receptacles in the house that may be 15 amps, but they won't take the plug configuration.

[ira]

Since it happens when you lift the brew lever it's likely the wiring from the switch to the pump, the pump or the switch. I'd guess the wiring and if you open it up it and follow the wires from the switch to the pump it might be clear what the problem is.

Ira

[ntwkgestapo]

From double checking the Bric, it appears to be a 1900 watt machine, which would be significanly greater than a 15 amp circuit could provide! Is your plug (pardon the poor ASCII art) like this?

| --
o

Where as the normal plug is:

| |
o

and your Receptacle looks like:

| |-
o

(or an inversion of the same)?

IF SO, that's a 20 amp setup (which would be much more like what I'd expect)...

As to GFCI trips, they can occur if the GFCI detects the TINIEST leak between ground and EITHER the Neutral or "Hot" lead (think in microamps or even slightly smaller)...

EDIT: here's a link to a page with some "better" (much better) diagrams for NEMA receptacles): http://www.nooutage.com/nema_configurations.htm I SUSPECT your's is a NEMA 5-20R

[Spencer]

If anyone guessed a cracked pressure stat, give yourself a cigar. There was a crack between the plastic and metal sections. As the machine heated up, water came out and dripped over the heating element and down onto some wires that route around that side of the machine and lead to the pump. My guess is that some water got in the plastic connecting sleeve (with multiple wires) and caused the fault that tripped the GFCI. The new pressure stat is arriving next week, so hopefully that will resolve it.

I appreciate everyone's help.

[cafeIKE]

Give all the wires and connectors a thorough inspection for any corrosion. Replace any suspects and save yourself a future headache.

[PhaetonFalling]

And you're going to replace that pressurestat with something ridiculous right? Saaaaaay... a Sirai?

=D