Up in MD we had freezers and refrigerators plugged into GFCI circuits with no problems. We've also had a refrigerator here on a GFCI for about six months and again, with no problems.
It's *possible* there was an issue with the old freezer that caused the GFCI to trip when the power came back on.
Since each of the outlet in the garage should be independent, and you said only one trips with lightning, you could try plugging into one of the others.
If it was me, I would:
1. Consider having an electrician check or replace the outlet that gave you problems
2. Give the new freezer a try on the existing outlet
3. Definitely talk to the electrician if it trips again
__________________
Why do people insist on making claims without looking them up first, do they really think no one will check? Proof by emphatic assertion rarely works.
Confirmation bias is real; I can find any number of articles that say so.
Victor, NY - Randallstown, MD - Yakima, WA - Stevensville, MD - Village of Hillsborough
|