I bought a used frig. it worked for a few days, now it keep popping the 20a breaker. If I disconnect the ground, it then works fine. I even trued a completely different circuit and again it pops in a few seconds, but if I disconnect the 3rd wire ground, it then works fine.

ideas?

tks,
pa

 

Sounds like a dangerous situation that calls for expert investigation.
I would recommend unplugging the fridge and have it checked out.

 

Obviously has a fairly heavy ground current to trip a 20A breaker, I assume it it is not a GFI variety?
It would be advisable to either test where the leakage is occurring or obtain the help of someone skilled in finding the fault.
Often there is a schematic on the rear somewhere for the electrical details.
Moisture etc could be the cause.
Probabally the reason it was sold in the first place.
Max.

 

There does appear to be a short between the mains hot lead and the refrigerator's chassis, which is a dangerous situation. With the unit unplugged, measure the resistance between both of the plug pins to the ground pin. It should be many megohms if normal.

 

6.6 and 2.7 ohms from hot and neutral (or neutral and hot) wires to frig metal case.

pics:
http://forum.appliancepartspros.com...ir/556698-need-fix-short-frig.html#post868779

 

Very low indeed!
A question of isolating the area or section which is causing it, and test a section at a time for the GND leakage..
Refer to the schematic if it has one on the back.
The cord did not get fractured in the move, by any chance?
Max.