# Power fault monitors **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 31, 2023, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-fault-monitors/987871 "2023-07-31T13:15:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2023, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-fault-monitors/987871/1 "2023-07-31T13:15:30Z")
We have a fridge and a freezer in the basement. The freezer is on a circuit with a GFI, and the fridge is on a fancy new arc fault interruption circuit breaker. Both are less reliably **on** than I want for a freezer that I don’t look at every hour. They come in two general types – ones that make a loud noise and ones that text you. Both have advantages and disadvantages. I’m looking for a stand-alone solution, not a smart house. Any advice? Any experience? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2023, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-fault-monitors/987871/2 "2023-07-31T13:20:51Z")
Can you please explain more about what you mean they’re less reliably on? If the GFI and/or arc fault are tripping, you have a much more serious problem than being alerted. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2023, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-fault-monitors/987871/3 "2023-07-31T13:23:04Z")
Yes, they trip. The arc fault monitors trip if anyone plugs in anything with a motor, and also seem “twitchy” and sometimes trip in a power storm. The GFI sometimes trips, too. Last night it tripped when we swapped the position of the freezer and the fridge. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the wiring. Some of it is new, some of it is old, and the licensed electricians who put in the new stuff told me the old stuff was done well. Research arc fault interruption circuit breakers, and you will find endless rants about how troublesome they are. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2023, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-fault-monitors/987871/4 "2023-07-31T13:25:51Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > in a power storm. thunderstorm. it’s early. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2023, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-fault-monitors/987871/5 "2023-07-31T13:26:25Z")
I understand the idea behind AFCBs, but I don’t think the technology is mature enough to make them reliable; there are lots of reports of false trips. Speaking only for _me_, if I moved into a house with AFCBs, I would remove them and install standard circuit breakers, including GFCIs in required locations. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2023, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-fault-monitors/987871/6 "2023-07-31T13:28:32Z")
That is not normal operation. They often recommend Fridges and Freezers be the only thing on the circuit. But this is not always reasonable. Remember, the complaints on the Arc Faults are by the small percent with problems. Toyotas are among the most reliable cars on the road but if you search for problems with Toyotas you’ll still get an awful lot of hit. But that said, I assume the Arc Faults are new and you didn’t use to have this issue? If so, maybe swap back in an old school breakers and see if the problem goes away. But my bet is on the wiring. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2023, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-fault-monitors/987871/7 "2023-07-31T13:31:40Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Remember, the complaints on the Arc Faults are by the small percent with problems. No, the issue is that they trip when used with incompatible devices, and a lot of devices you might want to use, like most power tools, are incompatible. My brother says they are also incompatible with most stoves, and that there’s a new exception in the code this year to allow you to remove them if you need to put a stove on the circuit. They really aren’t ready for prime time, but they are mostly required. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2023, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-fault-monitors/987871/8 "2023-07-31T13:39:58Z")
Building Codes are out of control, it feels like they’re being driven by industry now instead of safety. I just went through this. How do you feel about swapping breakers then? That might be your best solution. 2 out of 2 respondents appear to agree on this. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![phs3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8491ac/32.png) [@phs3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phs3)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2023, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-fault-monitors/987871/9 "2023-07-31T23:28:19Z")
I assume the actual problem you’re trying to solve is the fridge/freezer cutting off and ruining the contents? An alternative approach is to monitor the temp. [www.sensorcheck.us](http://www.sensorcheck.us) – I use 'em, it’s painless and cheap enough. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2023, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-fault-monitors/987871/10 "2023-08-01T00:07:09Z")
Well, it would. But a daily email showing minute by minute fluctuations feels like overkill. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2023, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-fault-monitors/987871/11 "2023-08-01T00:15:56Z")
Do you have reliable WiFi in the basement, and is the WiFi likely to be up in situations where basement power might go up? The ones that send you a text/email/etc. will depend on WiFi being available. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2023, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-fault-monitors/987871/12 "2023-08-01T00:17:23Z")
I have reliable wifi in the basement. If just one circuit goes, it will be up. If we lose power to the house… I forget if we still have any of the WiFi on a backup system. I’m more worried about losing one circuit. If power is out to the house I’ll know, and there’s not a lot I can do anyway. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2023, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-fault-monitors/987871/13 "2023-08-01T00:19:05Z")
In fact, the main WiFi is in the basement, and gets boosted and extended into the rest of the house. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2023, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-fault-monitors/987871/14 "2023-08-01T00:31:18Z")
Personally, then, I’d get a unit like this one (perhaps this exact model): > **[Power Alert](https://myspool.com/content/power-alert)** > > Be alerted when power goes out: MySpool Power Failure Alert uses Wi-Fi to send text messages, email or push alerts when power goes off or comes back on Name each device and send notifications to identify the power outlet affected Each MySpool Power... I can see that they use an ESP WiFi controller chip, which is a reliable choice for an application like this. It will send you a text or email if the power goes out. But, it also depends on you having a smartphone that you keep on/near you at all times. Perfect for me, but possibly not for you. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2023, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-fault-monitors/987871/15 "2023-08-01T00:33:27Z")
That looks promising. The fridge can hold its temp adequately for hours, and I’m rarely away from my phone longer than the fridge is safe without power. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2023, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-fault-monitors/987871/16 "2023-08-02T04:30:08Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > I understand the idea behind AFCBs, but I don’t think the technology is mature enough to make them reliable; there are lots of reports of false trips. It’s frightfully embarrassing to admit I don’t but… should I already know what AFCB is? I think it’s nifty when folks write these things out unless it’s well-known by most people. I looked it up on Google and the only results were for [A.F.C. Bournemouth](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFC_Bournemouth). ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2023, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-fault-monitors/987871/17 "2023-08-02T05:37:38Z")
[Arc Fault Circuit Breaker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arc-fault_circuit_interrupter). It’s a special kind of circuit breaker that (in addition to overloading) trips if it detects an electrical arc–that is, where a spark is jumping a gap somewhere. This is usually a bad thing as it can start a fire even if the current is less than what would trip the breaker normally. Unfortunately, innocuous things like motors can also sometimes trip them, so they are prone to false positives.