Ground Fault
GE
Ground Fault Protection Trip
Controller displays 'Ground Fault' or 'Earth Fault'; generator may trip off-line.
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Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
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Possible Causes
Short from phase conductor to ground, Damaged cable insulation, Water intrusion in junction box, Faulty load equipment
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety First: Ground faults can present shock and fire hazards. Turn OFF generator and utility breakers before inspection. Use a qualified electrician for insulation testing.
- 1. Inspect visible wiring: Check generator output cables, conduit, and junction boxes for signs of damage, burns, or water ingress.
- 2. Isolate loads: Turn off branch breakers in the main panel and attempt to run the generator with minimal load. If the fault clears, re-energize circuits one at a time to identify the problematic branch.
- 3. Check for moisture: Look for condensation or water in outdoor panels or receptacles. Dry and seal as needed.
- 4. Perform insulation resistance test (advanced): An electrician can use a megohmmeter to test insulation between phase conductors and ground to locate the fault.
- 5. Repair or replace damaged wiring/equipment: Once the faulted section is identified, repair or replace cables or devices before resetting the Ground Fault alarm.
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Repair Difficulty
Hard
4/5
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