You will encounter issues if your Peloton Tread’s power requirements are not met. One of the main requirements is that the Tread must be connected to a dedicated circuit. Is this really necessary, and what will happen if other appliances are connected to the same circuit?
The Peloton Tread and Tread+ DO NEED to have their own dedicated circuit! If the Tread or Tread+ is not connected to a dedicated circuit, the power outlet can become overloaded, causing the circuit to trip. To avoid interruptions during a workout, connect the Tread to its own dedicated circuit.
Most treadmills need their own circuit because of how much power these exercise machines use. Here, we explain why it is best to connect a Peloton Tread to a dedicated circuit, how to figure out why it is tripping your circuit breaker, and how to fix the problem.
Does A Peloton Tread Need A Dedicated Circuit?
Peloton recommends connecting the Tread and Tread+ to a 120V, 60Hz, 15A dedicated circuit to ensure the most uninterrupted experience possible.
A dedicated circuit means that no other electrical appliances are plugged into that circuit.
Not having a dedicated circuit for the Tread can lead to electrical issues that interfere with your workouts. To avoid tripping your circuit breaker, it is best to always connect your Tread to its own dedicated circuit.
Will A Peloton Tread Trip A Circuit?
Electrical appliances that use a lot of power, like microwaves and ovens, are sometimes responsible for tripping a circuit. When too much power is consumed through an outlet, the circuit is overloaded, and it trips.
The Peloton Tread (and treadmills in general) use a considerable amount of power. A Peloton Tread can trip a circuit, which is why it is best to connect it to a dedicated circuit.
Why Does A Peloton Tread Trip The Circuit Breaker?
When an appliance draws more energy than a power outlet can handle, the circuit breaker trips. The circuit breaker is a safety feature to protect you from electrical shocks and house fires.
Treadmills are particularly notorious for tripping circuits because they produce a lot of static electricity while you use them. The static is dispersed through the third ground prong on the outlet. This trips the breaker and shuts the machine down.
Most household circuit breakers are rated to 15 amps. The Tread+ draws about 10 amps on average, but with a fluctuation range of 2 or 3 amps. Therefore, a Tread will easily trip a 15-amp circuit.
How To Stop Your Peloton Tread From Tripping The Circuit Breaker
Ensuring that the outlet you plug your Tread into meets the machine’s power requirements is key. Most often, the reason that a Tread trips a circuit is that it is plugged into the incorrect type of outlet.
Let’s begin by saying that there are two types of circuit breakers in the power outlets in our homes:
- Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) – often the type we have in our bathrooms, kitchens, and washrooms (outlets close to water pipes).
- Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) – mostly found in bedrooms, hallways, entryways etc.
GCFI breakers are designed to safeguard you from electrical shocks by preventing the electric path from going into the ground. If the electric path goes into the ground, any person standing on the ground gets electrocuted.
AFCI outlets are intended to protect us from electrical fires caused when electricity arcs. When wires or cords are damaged and rub against each other, they can cause an electrical arc – a spark that can ignite a fire.
Both GCFI and AFCI outlets flip their circuit breakers when too much power flows through the ground port. Tripping causes your Tread to shut down. GCFI and AFCI power outlets are great for keeping us safe, but because of how they are designed, they do not work well for treadmills.
Peloton recommends that you do not plug your Tread or Tread+ into a GCFI or AFCI outlet, to avoid electrical issues. You need to ensure the circuit can handle the amount of power that the Tread draws.
Troubleshooting For When Your Peloton Tread Trips The Circuit
If you are battling to figure out why your Peloton Tread keeps tripping, you are in luck! Here, we help you troubleshoot the issue.
Consider the following factors (in this order) to work out why your Tread is tripping and fix the issue:
Replace The Outlet With A Non-GCFI/AFCI Outlet
Take a look at the outlet that your Tread is plugged into. Does it have a white or red switch on its plate? Is it near another outlet with a red or white reset switch? If so, then it is a GCFI outlet. You can tell if the outlet is an AFCI by looking at the main electrical panel.
Try moving your Tread to a different area of your home so that you can plug it into a dedicated non-GCFI/AFCI outlet. There should not be any other appliances connected to the circuit.
If it is not possible for you to move your Tread, you will need to call in an electrician to replace the outlet with a non-GCFI/AFCI type outlet.
Move The Tread To A Dedicated Circuit
If other electrical appliances are plugged into the same circuit as your Tread, then you can almost be certain that is what is causing it to trip! Make sure your Tread is plugged into its own dedicated circuit.
If you plan to put the Tread in a basement where you may not have a dedicated circuit, you need to call in an electrician. They will install a dedicated 20-amp circuit that your Tread will definitely not trip!
Use A Surge Protector
If the Tread is connected to the right type of outlet, but it is still tripping, try installing a surge protector. Treadmills of all brands are susceptible to electrical surges due to the amount of power they draw.
A surge protector helps regulate the amount of power a Tread draws, preventing it from tripping the breaker. Here is the surge protector we recommend for the Peloton Tread and Tread+.
Never Use An Extension Cord For Your Tread
The Peloton Tread and Tread+ have a 6-foot power adapter, so you need to place the machine less than 6 feet from an outlet. You should never use an extension cord to put your Tread further away from an outlet.
An extension cord cannot handle the amount of power that the Tread draws, so it is a fire hazard.
If you need a few extra feet to get to the outlet, consider using a surge protector with an extension cord. The surge protector we recommend above comes with an 8 foot cord.
Conclusion
To ensure that you get the best use from your Tread or Tread+, plug it into a dedicated circuit with a non-GFCI/AFCI outlet. Make sure no other appliances are connected to the circuit. This will prevent your Tread from tripping the circuit breaker and interrupting your workouts.
