Power outage issue

Pslreefer · 07/12/2018, 01:59 PM

Soo today the power went off do to a storm here a few minutes ago. Power was only off for a few mins but it caused my gfci to trip.

I never had this problem before and this is attributed to me losing everything in my tank over the weekend.

The only thing that is new on the tank is my retro t5’s and s smart plug outlet rates for 2000w.

I also have a ground probe that is on when the lights are on.

Any idea as to why the gfci could be tripping on a power outage or when the power comes back on?

mcgyvr · 07/12/2018, 02:04 PM

Fluorescent lights can have enough leakage current to cause GFCI's to trip..
Even more so in brownout,etc... type conditions that may be present with a power interruption..
Take them off the GFCI and see if it happens again..

Pslreefer · 07/12/2018, 02:08 PM

I’m scared to run without a gfci lol

I suppose I could just have the lights independent. The retros are attached to a board about 7 inches over the tank, with the ballasts on the dry side so I shouldn’t get zapped...

Pslreefer · 07/12/2018, 02:18 PM

Also I do notice the lights stay off until I turn them back on, via the app for the smart outlet.

Now that I think of it that might be the problem as I’ve had a power outage before on a regular digital timer and no problem

Pslreefer · 07/12/2018, 02:21 PM

I use this into a power strip that plugs into the gfci

[Outdoor Smart Plug] iClever Wi-Fi... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078TW292H?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

Pslreefer · 07/12/2018, 02:43 PM

Well I turned the breaker on/off to simulate a power outage and can’t get it to trip with everything on and then tried with the stuff the lights are on turned off, in order to see if it is my return pump and no trip...

Perhaps it’s from the lightning as it is a lot of cloud to ground here in Florida.

Keith@ ATI NA · 07/12/2018, 05:23 PM

ATI lights require a GFCI with a trigger point greater than 1milliamp. Its likely your retrofit kit (like LET Lighting) uses the same ballast and will also have that requirement. In addition, they have built in circuit protection making a GFCI unnecessary in your case.

Pslreefer · 07/12/2018, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith@ ATI NA

ATI lights require a GFCI with a trigger point greater than 1milliamp. Its likely your retrofit kit (like LET Lighting) uses the same ballast and will also have that requirement. In addition, they have built in circuit protection making a GFCI unnecessary in your case.

Thanks. It just happened again and no storm. The lights dimmed a bit in a back bedroom. When it happened. Ugh.

The retro kit is the LET variety from marine depot, so that is good to know!

I remembered something else however. I bought a little 6 inch desk fan for cooling and I had dropped it in my sump when it wasn’t plugged in. I rinsed it in fresh water and let it dry and it was still operational and didn’t trip my gfci in the bathroom when tested, so I’ve been using it. I’m now leaning towards that being a fault....

Pslreefer · 07/23/2018, 05:52 PM

Pretty sure it was the fan. I took it back and got a new one. No trip yet and even had a quick power outage yesterday off/on within 2 seconds.

07/12/2018, 01:59 PM	#1
Pslreefer In Memoriam Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Port St Lucie, FL Posts: 597	Power outage issue Soo today the power went off do to a storm here a few minutes ago. Power was only off for a few mins but it caused my gfci to trip. I never had this problem before and this is attributed to me losing everything in my tank over the weekend. The only thing that is new on the tank is my retro t5’s and s smart plug outlet rates for 2000w. I also have a ground probe that is on when the lights are on. Any idea as to why the gfci could be tripping on a power outage or when the power comes back on?

07/12/2018, 02:04 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Fluorescent lights can have enough leakage current to cause GFCI's to trip.. Even more so in brownout,etc... type conditions that may be present with a power interruption.. Take them off the GFCI and see if it happens again.. __________________ Who me?

07/12/2018, 02:18 PM	#4
Pslreefer In Memoriam Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Port St Lucie, FL Posts: 597	Power outage issue Also I do notice the lights stay off until I turn them back on, via the app for the smart outlet. Now that I think of it that might be the problem as I’ve had a power outage before on a regular digital timer and no problem

07/12/2018, 02:43 PM	#6
Pslreefer In Memoriam Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Port St Lucie, FL Posts: 597	Power outage issue Well I turned the breaker on/off to simulate a power outage and can’t get it to trip with everything on and then tried with the stuff the lights are on turned off, in order to see if it is my return pump and no trip... Perhaps it’s from the lightning as it is a lot of cloud to ground here in Florida.

07/12/2018, 05:23 PM	#7
Keith@ ATI NA Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 203	ATI lights require a GFCI with a trigger point greater than 1milliamp. Its likely your retrofit kit (like LET Lighting) uses the same ballast and will also have that requirement. In addition, they have built in circuit protection making a GFCI unnecessary in your case. __________________ Keith - ATI North America For more information about our reefkeeping products, subscribe to our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB2sfgtUkmvey-sNjP65TKw Current Tank Info: 175g mixed powered by an ATI LED Powermodule

07/12/2018, 02:08 PM	#3
Pslreefer In Memoriam Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Port St Lucie, FL Posts: 597	I’m scared to run without a gfci lol I suppose I could just have the lights independent. The retros are attached to a board about 7 inches over the tank, with the ballasts on the dry side so I shouldn’t get zapped...

07/12/2018, 02:21 PM	#5
Pslreefer In Memoriam Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Port St Lucie, FL Posts: 597	I use this into a power strip that plugs into the gfci [Outdoor Smart Plug] iClever Wi-Fi... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078TW292H?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

07/23/2018, 05:52 PM	#9
Pslreefer In Memoriam Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Port St Lucie, FL Posts: 597	Pretty sure it was the fan. I took it back and got a new one. No trip yet and even had a quick power outage yesterday off/on within 2 seconds.