You may have heard other people using the word ‘tripping’ to describe an issue they are facing with their generators. Tripping can be an issue with your generator, which you will need to resolve immediately as it can harm the circuit of both the generator and the device. So how do you fix tripping issues in your Predator generator?
In general, issues with the generator that causes tripping are typically associated with the circuit breaker. You can resolve problems with the circuit breaker by either replacing or repairing the device. Alternatively, there may be an issue with the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter.
Although these two devices are the main culprits behind a tripping generator, taking care of the problem isn’t always easy. So, how do you resolve this issue without purchasing a new Predator generator? Keep reading this article to find out more.
Why Your Generator Is Tripping
Generators face tripping issues because of two main reasons:
- The circuit breaker is triggered by some problem and is ending the connection.
- The Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, or the GFCI, is not functioning as it should.
Because the circuit breaker and the GFCI work in different ways to a similar end, it might be hard for you to tell which one is causing the problem. However, let’s look at both of them individually to understand what the crux of the issue is in the generator.
The Circuit Breaker
Every generator you come across will already have a circuit breaker and a fuse. This device serves to make sure the electrical supply is completely cut off when there is a risk. For example, if there is an immediate surge of power, if it is allowed to go through the circuit, it might cause a fire or even electrical shocks. Therefore, the circuit breaker’s job is not to let any higher electrical surges than expected pass through.
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Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
Unlike the circuit interrupter, the GFCI is responsible for another aspect of electrical safety. These receptacles are in the generator to detect any leakages of electricity from the circuit. If any electrical current isn’t going where it should, the GFCI has its eyes on them. The idea of Leaked charges sounds strange because we’re not used to viewing a current in this way.
However, currents can leak and can cause serious harm as well. A leak can happen because of a damaged wire, lousy insulation, water damage, or the generator itself has been damaged somehow. GFCI not working is a severe cause for concern, as it means the electrical leakage is unchecked, which can be a fire hazard for your home.
How To Fix Tripping Issues
When you notice tripping in your generator, the first thing to do is to understand what is causing the problem. As mentioned above, there are multiple causes. However, not all generators have a GFCI function, so keep that in mind. Go through each part and see what issues are present.
Checking the GFCI Receptacle
First things first, if you are not sure if GFCI receptacles are present in your generator, check the manual to see if they are present. If they are present, you need to follow these steps:
- Turn off the generator and remove any connections to the generator as well.
- Restart the generator, and reset the GFCI receptacle by holding down the ‘Reset’ button.
- If the button does not stay down, it means your receptacle is no longer working. Replace the GFCI receptacle.
- If the button stays down, connect the generator to a small load directly.
- After the connection is ready, wait for a minute to see if there is any tripping happening.
- If the bulb is not tripping, this means that the GFCI receptacle is working well.
- If you continue to see tripping, contact a professional.
Checking the Cords
The next step to checking the generator is to look at the cords you are using to connect the generator to the devices. After your GFCI check, the next step is to examine and troubleshoot if the cords are the issue. Here’s how to do this:
- One by one, connect all of your cords to the generator.
- At the same time, make sure none of your cords are damaged or affected by dirt and debris residue.
- If you notice the generator tripping during any of these checks, it means you need to replace that particular one.
Checking the Circuit Breaker
Another place for you to look when seeing tripping, as mentioned above, is the circuit breaker. The good thing about checking a circuit breaker is that it is designed to tell you that it is overloading and causing tripping. The only downside here is that sometimes, that can be pretty difficult to determine, and in some cases, there is no indication at all.
So how do you determine if it is the breaker that is messing things up and causing the generator to trip? One way to do that is to connect different appliances to see what happens. In other cases, a multimeter can help you determine the resistance level.
If one of the appliances is causing an overload reading, that means it is the appliance causing the issue. However, if nothing is connected and the circuit breaker says that it is overloaded, that is an indication it is damaged. In that case, you need to replace the circuit breaker.
Other Factors To Consider
Aside from the factors mentioned above, there are other things that can cause tripping as well. For example, if your switch is incorrectly placed or dirty, it can release a burning smell and cause the generator to trip. All that is needed to fix this is a cleaning and adjustment on the switch.
If the generator trips just once when you connect something new to it, there might be another issue. It might just be that the new load was too much for the generator to handle. In other cases, lousy wiring can cause tripping, which means you need to maintain your generator’s wiring regularly. This is an issue that only a professional can resolve.
Conclusion
During this article, you have learned what causes tripping in your generator and how to fix it. One last tip we can leave you with is to prioritize the generator’s need to have maintenance conducted by a professional at regular intervals. The generator will last longer, work better, and thank you for it!