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HF RF Tripping Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI's)

Oct 25th 2019, 09:06

W0BDT

Joined: May 8th 2019, 13:46
Total Topics: 0
Total Posts: 0
I'm having the same issue. My house was built in 2014 with Eaton AFCI breakers. During my first HF contact on 20m, I tripped five breakers in my house, as well as a number of breakers in two adjacent homes. I've contact Eaton customer service, as well as the two contacts listed in the article. Waiting for a reply...
Oct 28th 2019, 14:44

W0BDT

Joined: May 8th 2019, 13:46
Total Topics: 0
Total Posts: 0
I've gotten a reply back to my email from Bob Handick at Eaton:

Eaton will provide replacement breakers as needed for cases involving HAM radio. If you would like to receive replacement breakers, please provide shipping information.

I'm making arrangements with them to ship replacement breakers. Apparently they do not contract with an electrician to replace them, but at least provide the materials.
May 2nd 2021, 12:53

kc4cr

Joined: Jun 9th 2020, 19:38
Total Topics: 0
Total Posts: 0
I have a house built in 2015 with Eaton AFCI breakers. I had no problems until I installed a ground plane vertical antenna for 40 m. Previously, I used only dipoles. On first key down with 75 W CW, a breaker tripped. I paid an electrician to replace that breaker with a 2019 Eaton AFCI breaker. The new breaker does not trip and I thought my problem was solved. Not so. Other Eaton AFCI breakers tripped after a short period of operating (75 W, CW). It is clear that Eaton has manufactured breakers that do not meet UL standards which specify tolerance to radio emissions. I contacted Eaton and asked if they have a a program to address this problem but have not yet received a reply.
May 3rd 2021, 14:35

W1VT

Super Moderator

Joined: Apr 4th 1998, 00:00
Total Topics: 0
Total Posts: 0
If the problem involves an Eaton breaker,
e-mail Eaton’s Technical Resource
Center at trc@eaton.com, or call
1-800-326-9513. To their credit, Eaton
has been replacing the problematic
AFCI’s with the newer models to correct RFI issues
http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Lab/Gruber.pdf September 2017 QST
Jul 13th 2023, 23:19

KI0TLBayuk45

Joined: Dec 21st 2020, 16:29
Total Topics: 0
Total Posts: 0
Has anyone had experience with GE AFCI breakers. All of this discussion thread focused on EATON breakers. I moved into a home built in 2010 and it has GE breakers which keep tripping and I am confused as to how to fix the issue, without replacing all the breakers with something that is assured to work.

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