Smart outlet used for espresso machine melted - Page 2

#11: Post by **JohnB.** » April 2nd, 2020, 5:20 pm

Haskens wrote: No AFCI protection, my house was built in the 60s...

You can still change the breaker. An espresso machine should be on a circuit protected by a gfci or one of the af/gf combo breakers.

#12: Post by **Nunas** » April 3rd, 2020, 12:32 pm

^^^ +1 Not just that, but I would consider it essential. The only issue might be in a really old house with 2-wire service (no safety ground).

#13: Post by **BaristaBoy E61** » April 3rd, 2020, 1:28 pm

I would suggest caution regarding AFCI in that any power switch or any mechanical switching 120v might trip this type of breaker. Would not be a problem with solid-state relays.
GFCI - YES, I would use one.

April 3rd, 2020, 1:40 pm

I haven't experienced any issues using the combination AFCI/GFCI breakers. One circuit has 2 storage freezers & some lights on it.

#15: Post by **ira** » April 3rd, 2020, 1:43 pm

I tried putting AFCI and GFI breakers in my condo when I replaced the panel, but if it's wired with shared neutrals like they did in the past, they will not work in the panel.

Ira

#16: Post by **BaristaBoy E61** » April 3rd, 2020, 1:48 pm

JohnB. wrote:I haven't experienced any issues using the combination AFCI/GFCI breakers. One circuit has 2 storage freezers & some lights on it.

This was advice given by our Master Electrician during a renovation regarding the use of an AFCI in a bathroom, as electric razors and the like would cause havoc with this type of breaker.

YMMV

#17: Post by **slybarman** » April 3rd, 2020, 2:22 pm

Nunas wrote:I have been told that stabbing provides a more reliable connection, as the female parts are springy, whereas the conductor under the screw can migrate over time. .

Everything I have read had suggested the opposite - backstabbing bad.

April 3rd, 2020, 2:27 pm

+1

Backstabbing to me provides less surface area contact; how can that be good?

#19: Post by **JohnB.** » April 3rd, 2020, 3:04 pm

ira wrote:I tried putting AFCI and GFI breakers in my condo when I replaced the panel, but if it's wired with shared neutrals like they did in the past, they will not work in the panel.

Ira

I have the plug on neutral combo breakers in a new sub panel that is feed from a 10 year old main panel that uses conventional & GFCI breakers.

#20: Post by **ira** » April 3rd, 2020, 8:20 pm

If you use 2 breakers and a 4 wire connection to two outlets, one on each phase with a common neutral, you can not use a GFI or ACFI breaker on either of those as the neutral will commonly carry less current than either phase. In that case the safety circuits in the breakers will trigger.

Ira