

| Subject: | gfci outlet buzzes with inverter |
| From: | pickle vanagon |
| Date: | Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:28:20 -0400 |
I'm in the midst of a giant electrical project in the van. I want use use a GFCI outlet powered off the inverter I'm using. The inverter is the cheap/compact "modified sine wave" type. I read somewhere that many brands of GFCI outlets wouldn't work with these, but that Pass and Seymour GFCI's would. Sure enough, the P&S GFCI outlet I got works fine running off the inverter, in the sense that it gives power and trips when the trip button is pressed. However, there is a slight buzzing sound coming from the outlet when it has power. The buzzing stops if you trip the outlet with the test button. I'm assuming that the choppy output wave of the inverter is causing the noise. The P&S technical support guy I spoke to agreed, and seemed to think that everything was ok so long as the outlet trips when the button is pressed. I'm concerned about whether the buzzing is something to be worried about otherwise. It's faint enough that you don't really hear it unless you get down on all fours right next to the outlet. But is the vibration creating an unsafe situation? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. -Wes (I plan to describe the whole electrical project and post pictures when I finish, hopefulyy by Sunday.)
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