MES40 Tripping GFCI But Previously Didn't

[UncleRichard]

accidental repost. please ignore.

 

[chopsaw]

Im not an electrician

I'm not either , but used to work on some of this stuff .

Up_In_Smoke advice / info on the digital meter readings was needed . I didn't realize they were different than an analog .

unplugged spades - both terminals to MES body - OL.

That's good .

12.2 ohms of resistance across heating element.

That's a good number for an MES 40 .

-black to body 0.00 and alarm

That's the black wire that goes on the heating element ?
If so that's your problem , or some of it . Make sure it's not pinched where in comes through the body , or like mentioned above nicked casing shorting out somewhere along the line .

Also there should have been a white silicone / rubber insulator where the element passes thru the body . Keeps the element insulated from the body . Make sure you installed that .

 

[zwiller]

That's the black wire that goes on the heating element ?
If so that's your problem , or some of it . Make sure it's not pinched where in comes through the body , or like mentioned above nicked casing shorting out somewhere along the line .

+1

Not licensed either but no amateur either. I do NOT like the element wiring AT ALL. The element wires have multiple contact issues and black a bit crimped. I make it a point to keep wires like these as far as possible from one another/NEVER touch. When you move the black, unwind it and take the kinks out. Then send the extra slack of the red braid back down into the grommet/case. Both of the wires should be lose and free in the grommets. The grommets keep the wire from contacting metal. Hang in there, you are CLOSE. This stuff separates the men from the boys.

 

[UncleRichard]

Yes, the black wire is the one connected to the heating element.

Thanks ZWIller and Chopsaw. I will investigate the black/red wires, get the kinks out, etc. Will report back soon.

 

[chopsaw]

Not sure which side of line in the limit switch is on , but you might check that first and make sure you don't have something rubbing or touching in that area .

 

[UncleRichard]

Not sure which side of line in the limit switch is on , but you might check that first and make sure you don't have something rubbing or touching in that area .

Praise the Lord its fixed. It's been on for 40min at 250F so now we can have pulled pork tomorrow! Didn't trip two different GFI receptacles.

I think it was the temperature limit switch. Replaced the spade and kinked portion of the black wire at the heating element but it still went to ground. Replaced both spades and the temperature limit switch, and it was OL on the meter.

Thank you so much. This saved me from buying another one.

 

[chopsaw]

Good to hear . Enjoy .

 

[dietspam]

Praise the Lord its fixed. It's been on for 40min at 250F so now we can have pulled pork tomorrow! Didn't trip two different GFI receptacles.

I think it was the temperature limit switch. Replaced the spade and kinked portion of the black wire at the heating element but it still went to ground. Replaced both spades and the temperature limit switch, and it was OL on the meter.

Thank you so much. This saved me from buying another one.

Happy to hear it's fixed. I had the same issue. My issue turned out to be the wiring in the back like the picture of Zwiller's post. Wiring just burned up/melted and I had to fix that multiple times. Most recently replaced the heating element. An inexpensive repair.