Shopsmith Forums

A paper in my Mark 7 shipment talks about needing a non gfi outlet for the unit.
My garage is quite lacking in outlets - one ceiling mount for the garage door, and only one wall outlet (I guess the builder was trying to save $$), and of course it's a GFI outlet. I've used this outlet about 10 times now to power my Mark 7, with no issues seen. When I called support about using a gfi outlet ok, she told me the trip must not be working. I test all the time, and there is no problem.

Before I go to the trouble of adding a second outlet with no GFI, I would be interested in others opinions from other owners if they've had similar experiences.

kenharry wrote:A paper in my Mark 7 shipment talks about needing a non gfi outlet for the unit.
My garage is quite lacking in outlets - one ceiling mount for the garage door, and only one wall outlet (I guess the builder was trying to save $$), and of course it's a GFI outlet. I've used this outlet about 10 times now to power my Mark 7, with no issues seen. When I called support about using a gfi outlet ok, she told me the trip must not be working. I test all the time, and there is no problem.

Before I go to the trouble of adding a second outlet with no GFI, I would be interested in others opinions from other owners if they've had similar experiences.

If your unit works, Don't change anything!!!!

GFI circuits and/or outlets are a wise installation in a garage or any workshop built on the earth's surface, with solid contact to the earth. Perhaps plastic sheeting beneath concrete will decrease the grounding affect of electric power to the floor.

In fact many building codes require GFCI electrical outlets in a garage. This can be done either through a GFCI circuit breaker in the power box, or through a single duplex outlet. I have both systems in my shop.

When I got my PowerPro, it was plugged into an outlet controled by a GFCI breaker from the power box. It worked fine, but when I moved the machine and plugged into a GFCI duplex outlet, the PowerPro would consistently throw the breaker.

When I called Shopsmith, I found they had never witnessed this situation, because all their outlets are GFCI from the breaker box.

All GFCI problems with a PowerPro can be fixed by installing a GFCI breaker in the power box. When this is done, any single GFCI outlet on this circuit must be changed to a standard 20 amp duplex outlet.

By the way, I changed the GFCI outlet to one that is rated for Hospital service instead of the one suitable for homes, and the problem was fixed.

I find it strange the Shopsmith says the machine requires a non-GFI outlet. GFCI is still a good idea (and required) in all electric outlets where grounding can occur.

Is this the wording they used? ..."needing a non gfi outlet for the unit."

My powerpro doesn't seem to care.

Maybe it is the type of GFI one has installed. My house is about 35 years old and the outlet it plugs into is that vintage.

The GFI for the upstairs bathrooms has been replaced, I guess I could run an extension cord and plug in to test it someday but since it is working where it is plugged in I'm happy and unlikely to be plugged in the bathroom it would be pointless.

I have portable GFI that I could try, I use to take that along if I was going to be working where I didn't know what type circuit I'd be plugging into. Now with all the battery tools and my life style after retirement it mostly collects dust now.

If the powerpro works as is then great and if not perhaps a replacement outlet would fix things. For other safety reasons you are better off using a GFI in and around the garage.

Ed

I was plugging my PowerPro into a GFI receptacle with no problems, but when I plugged in a lathe with a variable speed DC motor, it would trip the breaker every time. Someone here suggested a Hospital Grade GFI outlet and that solved the problem. So if it were me, I would just keep using the PowerPro, and if at some time it starts tripping the GFI, then install the Hospital Grade outlet.

Mike

The GFCI problems were discussed in detail about 2 years ago. I could never see a place when SS said NOT to use a GFCI. What was said was that if you plug a Power Pro into a GFCI outlet and it trips then remove the GFCI outlet and replace it with a non GFCI outlet provided that you change the breaker in the breaker panel to a GFCI breaker.
The hospital grade GFCI outlets are built to a higher standard and are less subject to stray EMI. (electromechanical interference)
Moving the GFCI from the wall outlet to the circuit breaker panel will help to isolate the GFCI from the stray radiation from the machine. Also the GFCI that is installed in the breaker panel will most likely be built to a higher EMI resistant standard
Bill V
Any area in a home that is subject dampness is required to be equipped with a GFCI protector, basement, garage, laundry room, or bathroom for example. Do not confuse a GFCI with an AFCI they are different animals. An AFCI is an arc fault circuit interrupter and is required in bedroom circuits. An AFC detects arcing from defective extension or lamp cords that find their way under carpets mostly in bedroom areas.

I have my PP plugged into my garage 'shop' that has a GFCI outlet at the first entry of the AC line into the shop and have not had any tripping issues. I doubt it is hospital grade since the garage was re-wired many years ago to add outlets. The added outlets are not used all at once, just to have an outlet somewhere should I need it. Unlike some, I can only use one power tool at a time.

I do know that my PP puts lots of interference on the wires. I have to unplug my radio and run it on battery any time the PP power switch is on - running or not.

Glad to know what to do if I do start to get tripping.

Thanks

Forrest

After a number of operation with the new machine, no GFI tripping yet.

Using the Non-Power Pro V and the Dust Collector at the same time caused my GFI in my 5 year old garage outlet to pop the breaker everytime. Had new non GFI outlets installed and now everything is ok.

fredsheldon wrote:Had new non GFI outlets installed and now everything is ok.

Unless your local building codes require it.