GFI Keeps Tripping. Please help.

jchillin · 07/15/2007, 12:24 PM

I recently got a new Aqua Medic 250W Ocean Light Fixture because when I changed a bulb and end caps my GFI tripped when I hooked the fixture back into the ballast.

I noticed the wiring in the old fixture had started to seperate, so I thought I possible had a bad fixture.

The new fixture worked for one day and then also started tripping the GFI. I tried plugging the lighting into a different outlet that is on seperate breaker, and it also trips the GFI. So I don't think it is a bad GFI in the outlet. I checked the power coming out of the wall with power meter, and it is reading 119.

I plugged the new fixture into my other ballast and it tripped the GFI too.

Any ideas on why this new fixture would also cause the GFI to trip?

MannyRottie · 07/15/2007, 01:24 PM

There could be several reasons why your GFI is tripping. First it might be something as simple as the amount of energy the new fixture needs cannot be supplied. It can also be that the wiring in your new fixture is screwed up. I am betting that this is the reason. If something is loose or not wired correctly, the GFI will do it job and trip. I worked with an electrician for 2 years so I have a really good idea of what I am talking about.

James77 · 07/15/2007, 01:37 PM

Do you have another GFI you can try it on, like in a bathroom? If not, it may be worth it to buy a "portable" GFI that is built into a power cord to see if the lights trip other GFI's.

DarG · 07/15/2007, 01:57 PM

It's probably not likely that the 250 watt fixture overloaded both circuits. But it is also unlikely that both the old and new fixture are wired incorrectly or have a short.

I have a question ... you said the fixture is new. Is the ballast new or are you using the old ballast too?

hawaiianwargod · 07/15/2007, 02:16 PM

MannyRottie

To Reef Central

jchillin · 07/15/2007, 03:15 PM

I have tried hooking the lighting up to different outlet, and it also trips the GFI.

I am using my old ballast. I did not get a new one.

DarG · 07/15/2007, 03:44 PM

Internal problem with ballast is looking like a possibility assuming the ballast is hooked up correctly (no offense).

07/15/2007, 12:24 PM	#1
jchillin Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 82	GFI Keeps Tripping. Please help. I recently got a new Aqua Medic 250W Ocean Light Fixture because when I changed a bulb and end caps my GFI tripped when I hooked the fixture back into the ballast. I noticed the wiring in the old fixture had started to seperate, so I thought I possible had a bad fixture. The new fixture worked for one day and then also started tripping the GFI. I tried plugging the lighting into a different outlet that is on seperate breaker, and it also trips the GFI. So I don't think it is a bad GFI in the outlet. I checked the power coming out of the wall with power meter, and it is reading 119. I plugged the new fixture into my other ballast and it tripped the GFI too. Any ideas on why this new fixture would also cause the GFI to trip?

07/15/2007, 01:24 PM	#2
MannyRottie Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 1	I might have an answer... There could be several reasons why your GFI is tripping. First it might be something as simple as the amount of energy the new fixture needs cannot be supplied. It can also be that the wiring in your new fixture is screwed up. I am betting that this is the reason. If something is loose or not wired correctly, the GFI will do it job and trip. I worked with an electrician for 2 years so I have a really good idea of what I am talking about.

07/15/2007, 01:37 PM	#3
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	Do you have another GFI you can try it on, like in a bathroom? If not, it may be worth it to buy a "portable" GFI that is built into a power cord to see if the lights trip other GFI's. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

07/15/2007, 02:16 PM	#5
hawaiianwargod Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: 11 54' N, 121 55' E Posts: 1,836	MannyRottie *To Reef Central* __________________ "To be a successful reefer, one must master the art of mimicry" ~Hawaiianwargod~ [E] levated [L] evel [O] f [S] weetness Current Tank Info: 210+ - "G" Elos 160XL [~]

07/15/2007, 01:57 PM	#4
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	It's probably not likely that the 250 watt fixture overloaded both circuits. But it is also unlikely that both the old and new fixture are wired incorrectly or have a short. I have a question ... you said the fixture is new. Is the ballast new or are you using the old ballast too?

07/15/2007, 03:15 PM	#6
jchillin Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 82	I have tried hooking the lighting up to different outlet, and it also trips the GFI. I am using my old ballast. I did not get a new one.

07/15/2007, 03:44 PM	#7
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	Internal problem with ballast is looking like a possibility assuming the ballast is hooked up correctly (no offense).