1) I have an old pinball machine (1973 Chicago coin) that will trip the circuit breaker (AFCI) occasionally. While there is nothing seriously wrong with the machine, I'm sure these older parts are throwing all types of funk into the circuit, so the tripping is expected.

2) My 3 year old kenmore range's warmer zone (low power cooktop eye) will trip 1-3 AFCIs located on completely separate circuits (the only connection is at the neutral bar). Everything on the oven works fine, and nothing else (thus far) trips the breakers. I've noticed that it trips the breakers only when the eye is cold (eg if it's been in use, or the oven has and warmed up the cooktop, nothing has tripped). I don't think there is a serious issue with the range; I think it's just putting some noise into the circuit.

I've had an electrician come out and verify what he could, so we have narrowed my AFCI tripping issues to these 2 appliances. He recommended power filters, but from googling, it seems these are called line or power conditioners. Also from that google search, I've found numerous types and all a lot more money than I was expecting.

So I have come to you. What do I need? The pinball is a typical 3-prong 120V; the oven is a 4-prong 240V.

[Edited on November 25, 2015 at 1:30 PM. Reason : .]

11/25/2015 1:28:47 PM

The pinball machine isn't surprising--it's a giant box full of relays and solenoids. Try searching Mouser, Digikey, etc. for power line filters. You could also try installing a PEM with integrated EMI filter. A power conditioner isn't what you're looking for.

My first thought on the range is that filtering will only cover up a problem that should be troubleshot and fixed.

11/27/2015 10:06:32 AM