CAFCI/GFCI tripping immediately when plugging in dryer

arkboy105 · Oct 12, 2023

I recently rewired my laundry room with MC cable, 20 amp circuit. I installed an AFCI/GFCI combo switch. The gas dryer trips it as soon as I plug it in, under no load. The washer does not trip it. I tested it with other appliances, under high load, no issue. This doesn't seem like a nuisance tripping to me, since the dryer isn't even running when it trips. Is this an indication the wiring in the dryer cable is bad? No issues before but it was only on a GFCI.

James · Oct 12, 2023

Certainly sounds like you could have a faulty drier.

pc1966 · Oct 12, 2023

Did you regularly test the older GFCI to know it was working?

As above, sounds like a faulty appliance.

Megawatt · Oct 15, 2023

arkboy105 said:
I recently rewired my laundry room with MC cable, 20 amp circuit. I installed an AFCI/GFCI combo switch. The gas dryer trips it as soon as I plug it in, under no load. The washer does not trip it. I tested it with other appliances, under high load, no issue. This doesn't seem like a nuisance tripping to me, since the dryer isn't even running when it trips. Is this an indication the wiring in the dryer cable is bad? No issues before but it was only on a GFCI.

You are correct that it is not a nuisance tripping issue. If it was working on a GFCI circuit then why change it. By code you protect all laundry room it is required to be by a GFCI breaker or receptacle not AFCI protection. Since it’s gas operated it could be detecting the igniter or seloniod. Hope this helps and welcome to the forum.