GFCI tripping

chansman · Aug 31, 2012

I installed a GFCI for the 75g that was set-up over the weekend and it trips when I plug in one of the ballasts. The ballast works fine when not on the GFCI...could it just be sensitive? tia

kgross · Aug 31, 2012

There could be a problem with the ballast, cap going bad, ignitor going bad etc, or just a sensitive GFCI. Lighting ballasts are known for causing false trips on GFCI breakers.

rjbesch · Aug 31, 2012

i had a bad power head keep tripping mine out

robert · Aug 31, 2012

+1 Kgross

inductive load - knocks voltage and current out of phase - especially on magnetic ballasts and motors or when the starter cap has gone bad. GFCI sees the in-rush current but the return current is delayed enough to trip the circuit.

Reef Breeders · Aug 31, 2012

I would put a non-gfi outlet next to it, you can simply run it off of the "line" terminal, anything run off of the "load" terminal will also be gfi protected. I know the 20amp gfis have 2 terminals for wires on each screw, except the ground, which you need to twist and crimp. Is it a 1-gang, or 2-gang box?

chansman · Sep 1, 2012

Just a one gang. I have to keep everything neat and tidy or the Mrs. will not be happy. My plan is to take the canopy down today, while rearranging rock, so I'll make sure there is nothing loose.

chansman · Sep 1, 2012

I ran an extension cord over...she hasn't noticed yet...lol! Honestly I have owned the aquarium for 1 week and haven't been able to run the actinic lights...WOW!! I have been jipping myself...that flower anemone is awesome.

Akira · Sep 2, 2012

Also on a side note , do you know if this a 20 amp circuit or a 15 amp? GFCI outlets are also rated for the ampacity of the wire of the circuit they are connected too. 12 awg wire is 20 amps while 14 awg is 15 amps. (using a 20 amp gfci on a 15 amp not recommended and also against code)It has been several years since I was in the electrical field but if my memory serves me correctly there is a slightly more expensive outlet that has a Slow trip on it to compensate for motor start ups etc , this may be a simple solution while still keeping the over current protection next to your tank not the primary panel.

chansman · Sep 2, 2012

No, I checked the breaker first. They are both 15a.

Dowtish · Sep 2, 2012

I personally dont understand why you would want to risk having your GFCI trip at any time on something that could cause a major crash to your system.

Young Frankenstein · Sep 2, 2012

robert said:
+1 Kgross

inductive load - knocks voltage and current out of phase - especially on magnetic ballasts and motors or when the starter cap has gone bad. GFCI sees the in-rush current but the return current is delayed enough to trip the circuit.

Agreed +1

Mike&Terry · Sep 3, 2012

Dowtish said:
I personally dont understand why you would want to risk having your GFCI trip at any time on something that could cause a major crash to your system.

GFCI are mandatory in the NEC, and across the globe for many applications. The number of mandatory applications are expanding too, from what I read. The simple reason is that they save lives. It only takes 100ma to cause heart fibrillation. I don't see why you wouldn't want to have everything connected to your aquarium protected by GFCI.

As to why there would be nuisance tripping - it is true that inductive loads cause temporary imbalance on the hot/neutral and will trip a GFCI, a properly working unit should NOT cause nuisance tripping (either the load device or the GFCI is probably bad). Good advice is given in this thread about checking startup capacitors. The purpose of those is to even out current/voltage differences on startup of those devices like pumps and ballasts. If the device is designed properly, and the startup caps are within tolerance, the device shouldn't be tripping a properly-functioning GFCI outlet.

Young Frankenstein · Sep 3, 2012

Mike&Terry said:
GFCI are mandatory in the NEC, and across the globe for many applications. The number of mandatory applications are expanding too, from what I read. The simple reason is that they save lives. It only takes 100ma to cause heart fibrillation. I don't see why you wouldn't want to have everything connected to your aquarium protected by GFCI.

As to why there would be nuisance tripping - it is true that inductive loads cause temporary imbalance on the hot/neutral and will trip a GFCI, a properly working unit should NOT cause nuisance tripping (either the load device or the GFCI is probably bad). Good advice is given in this thread about checking startup capacitors. The purpose of those is to even out current/voltage differences on startup of those devices like pumps and ballasts. If the device is designed properly, and the startup caps are within tolerance, the device shouldn't be tripping a properly-functioning GFCI outlet.

In a perfect world yes :) and agreed they save lives and NEC requires them. Understand also that they are not 100% effective on duing what they are made for. I dont use them for the main circulation pumps.

kgross · Sep 3, 2012

Yes a GFCI can save your life, but they can also kill your tank off. The best thing is to use multiple ones so if you have a false trip you don't loose all power to your tank.

CJO · Sep 4, 2012

I had a GFCI breaker that kept tripping the lights in my basement. I replaced the breaker and it's been fine ever since. I've read that they become more (too) sensitive over time.

CJ

chansman · Sep 4, 2012

I'll update the lighting for Christmas with new stuff but for now it will do.

Akira · Sep 5, 2012

OK this is to CJO , the breaker that was tripping is an "arc-Fault breaker" not a gfi breaker , its part of the new code for NEC that was established around 2004. But it gets long to explain it all . So while GFI's are great they are'nt designed for higher ampacity load that we tend to put on them with the start up up pumps lights etc while we already have an existing load on them . Thus the question I asked before is it a 15 amp circuit. If you want a cheap fix make the single gang box a 2 gang and install 2 gfi's , 1 for pumps and 1 for lighting. Ever tried to run a vacum off a 15 amp gfi ? Try that with a nerw high amp vacum and it will trip same as hair dryer , thats what new NEC code requires a 20 amp circuit and gfi in all bathrooms to handle the higher amperage of the more mondern appliances. When a small amp motor starts up it will draw almost 1.3-1.8 the rated amps and then decrease after its running so seperating pumps and lighting should keep the independant gfi's from tripping . Hope this helps.

CJO · Sep 5, 2012

Thanks for the explanation, Akira. You are correct. I went back and looked and in my case it was an arc-fault breaker.

CJ

Akira · Sep 6, 2012

Your welcome CJ :smile: Just trying to shed a little light on what a "GFCI" actually is and what their intended use is and why they behave as they do.