Feb
2
just purchased a new construction home, and cant use my treadmill due to the outlets trippin because of new breakers installed called arc fault breakers..use to be only for bedrooms and in 2008 code passed to install in additional rooms..
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3 Responses to “Does anyone know how to be able to use a treadmill on an arc fault breaker?”
The arc fault breaker isnt the culprit. Your treadmill is most likely pulling to many amps due to other appliances drawing on it as well. Im assuming the breaker is a 15 amp breaker. You need to figure out what else is on the circuit and turn it off to avoid overloading the breaker. The way houses are built you very well could be running lights and plugs on the same breaker. Try turning off things in the house that shutoff when the treadmill shuts off.
The arc-fault breaker was installed by the builder to meet code demands. That does not keep you from changing back to a regular breaker. Change the breaker and your problem goes away. Remember, 99.9% of all the homes in the US don’t have arc-fault breakers, so don’t fret this one. They were developed to give added protection in sleeping areas. The motor is arcing internally which is perfectly normal, but the breaker can’t differentiate between a motor and a problem in the circuit.
Yes, you are correct on the 2008 Code change for arc-fault breaker requirements.
As noted by someone else, make sure that you are not overloading the circuit. Check the nameplate on the treadmill to see how much current (amps) it draws. If it is drawing close to 15 amps (or 1875 watts), the circuit may not be able to handle much more usage.
If this does not appear to be the problem, call the builder. You mentioned that this was a new construction home. Have the builder make the electrician fix this. If you try to fix this yourself, you may void warranties.