GFCI tripping when MH lights shutting off?

[Anonymous]

This is the second time it happened it was about an hour and a half before i noticed it took *grr*. But apparently when my MH bulbs & refugium light) turns off it occasionally trips the GFCI. Now is there a logical explaination for this? I have my timer hooked into a powerstrip that runs 2 175w mh and 1 65w CF bulb, is this just too much of a power dump and confuses the GFCI?

Any insights?

 

[ChrisRD]

Once they've tripped a couple of times, some GFIs seem to get a bit flaky. How old is the GFI? Is it an in-wall socket, or external type? What kind of halide ballast?

 

[Anonymous]

Once they've tripped a couple of times, some GFIs seem to get a bit flaky. How old is the GFI? Is it an in-wall socket, or external type? What kind of halide ballast?

I agree, I have had to replace several in the bathroom before because once they tripped with the hair dryer they would trip frequently

They also seem to trip when they are hooked to wiring that is too small for the load.

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with the above posts. Faulty GFCI is probably the cause.

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

The MH ballast is an old dual CSL magnetic ballast.

but *sigh* I dont want to hear faulty gfci.. not at $12 a pop.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, much better to replace a $300 ballast. :roll:

The external plug-in-the-socket type tend to be inferior to the ones that are replacement wall recepticals, and the ones that an electrician installs in your circuit breaker panel tend to be the most robust.

Try plugging you lights into a different GFCI circuit and see if you can reproduce the problem.

GFCI should be tested once a month to make sure they can trip.

 

[Anonymous]

When you replace the GFCI socket (and I recommend that you do) take a digital pic before you disconnect any wiring. Then you can be sure that you get it back the way it was. Digital cameras are worth their weight in platinum in that way as far as i am concerned.

Just my 2cp worth.

 

[Anonymous]

Assuming it was wired correctly the first time. One in my kitchen is not.