lights off causing gfi to trip

goochesfish · 11/10/2009, 12:41 AM

I have an ati power module 8X80watts. In the evening when it goes down from 8 to 2 lights, on two occasions, it has tripped the circuit breaker. Where is the problem, lights or gfi? doesn't happen every night.

Flipper62 · 11/10/2009, 01:05 AM

How many times has it tripped it ??

Some people dont know this but GFI outlets are like circuit breakers. After they are tripped so many times, they need to be replaced. They get weaker everytime they trip..and over time.

uncleof6 · 11/10/2009, 03:23 AM

Two nuisance trips are not sufficient to cause any sort of repetitive problem with GFCI, the problem is it is not recommended to run highly inductive loads on GFCI's because they cause nuisance trips. A ballast is a highly inductive load and so is a pump motor. The problem is the light fixture, but it is not really a problem other than it is an inductive load, ie there is nothing wrong with the fixture. The thing that most people don't know, about GFCI's-- is what they will not protect against. They will not trip if you contact the output side of a ballast-- ie your lights. The ballast isolates the output side from the line side, so no matter what happens on the output side, on the line side, current in equals current out--no trip.

Jim

PGUY1 · 11/10/2009, 10:57 AM

My retros did the same thing. Apparently T5 ballasts have leakage voltage that trip a GFCI. I looked everywhere for a solution like a GFCI with a higher threshold and finally wired everything where my lights are on a regular outlet upstream from the GFCI and everything else goes through the GFCI. Everyone I called said you can't use T5s on a GFCI.

pilotchute · 11/10/2009, 03:09 PM

I had a similar problem with a Hamilton Ballast. Switched it out to an icecap and havent had any problems with my T5s on my GFI.

goochesfish · 11/10/2009, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uncleof6

The ballast isolates the output side from the line side, so no matter what happens on the output side, on the line side, current in equals current out--no trip.

Jim

So what is the bottom line? False sense of security? I don't quite understand what you're trying to say here.
Anyway, I will have the gfci's removed from that circuit. My lights run on a separate circuit. Thanks for the responses.

uncleof6 · 11/11/2009, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goochesfish

So what is the bottom line? False sense of security? I don't quite understand what you're trying to say here.
Anyway, I will have the gfci's removed from that circuit. My lights run on a separate circuit. Thanks for the responses.

With with the output side of a ballast, it is a false sense of security yes. Liken it to a motor connected to a GFCI outlet. The motor drives an ac generator via a pulley and belt. The output of the generator is isolated from the line source (the GFCI), therefore, this will electrocute you and the GFCI will just continue to supply power to the motor.

Jim

11/10/2009, 12:41 AM	#1
goochesfish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,305	lights off causing gfi to trip I have an ati power module 8X80watts. In the evening when it goes down from 8 to 2 lights, on two occasions, it has tripped the circuit breaker. Where is the problem, lights or gfi? doesn't happen every night. __________________ The Gooch, my Beagle, may she RIP 1995-2011 Current Tank Info: 150 gallon Starfire set up July 22,09, 30g QT

11/10/2009, 01:05 AM	#2
Flipper62 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Naperville, Il. Business Owner, President & CEO Posts: 3,045	How many times has it tripped it ?? Some people dont know this but GFI outlets are like circuit breakers. After they are tripped so many times, they need to be replaced. They get weaker everytime they trip..and over time. __________________ If todays automobile had followed the same development as the computer, A Rolls Royce would cost $100.00. It would get a million miles per gallon, but it would explode once a year killing everyone inside." Current Tanks... 90 gal Reef... My awesome Office BioCube....( 180 was on hold ..no time ) ... The 180 gal has been sold...Yay..yay..yay. Hobby Experience: 19 years Reef...22 years FW

11/10/2009, 03:23 AM	#3
uncleof6 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: AWOL Posts: 12,013	Two nuisance trips are not sufficient to cause any sort of repetitive problem with GFCI, the problem is it is not recommended to run highly inductive loads on GFCI's because they cause nuisance trips. A ballast is a highly inductive load and so is a pump motor. The problem is the light fixture, but it is not really a problem other than it is an inductive load, ie there is nothing wrong with the fixture. The thing that most people don't know, about GFCI's-- is what they will not protect against. They will not trip if you contact the output side of a ballast-- ie your lights. The ballast isolates the output side from the line side, so no matter what happens on the output side, on the line side, current in equals current out--no trip. Jim __________________ "Things should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." (oft attributed to Einstein; most likely paraphrasing by Roger Sessions; compactly articulates the principle of Occam's Razor) Current Tank Info: 325 6' wide Reef

11/10/2009, 10:57 AM	#4
PGUY1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: WILMINGTON, NC Posts: 208	My retros did the same thing. Apparently T5 ballasts have leakage voltage that trip a GFCI. I looked everywhere for a solution like a GFCI with a higher threshold and finally wired everything where my lights are on a regular outlet upstream from the GFCI and everything else goes through the GFCI. Everyone I called said you can't use T5s on a GFCI.

11/10/2009, 03:09 PM	#5
pilotchute Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Enterprise, AL Posts: 18	I had a similar problem with a Hamilton Ballast. Switched it out to an icecap and havent had any problems with my T5s on my GFI.