New light tripping my GFCI outlet

[jnelson]

I recently acquired a new (used) light. This has the independent controllable groups of white and blue. I noticed that when I try to turn on both the white and blue, it trips my GFCI. Either one separately does not cause the issue.

I am using a plug-in GFCI (not a hardwired one) and I do live in an old apartment building. I did try plugging it straight into the wall without the GFCI and it works fine on full power. It doesn't trip my circuit breakers, but I'd rather not set my apartment on fire though. Anyone have any ideas as to what exactly is causing the issue?

 

[jaa1456]

Most likely the LEDs are made in China or either your gfi can't handle the load.

 

[thirty5]

Im going to say that the GFCI outlet is bad. Replace it...

 

[sunny]

The outlet could be bad, yes. Also one GFI outlet often controls others in apartments. My guess is that when you turn the light up full you are over loading the circuit and GFI trips. Try to unplug some other stuff and then try again with GFI.

Sunny

 

[thirty5]

The outlet could be bad, yes. Also one GFI outlet often controls others in apartments. My guess is that when you turn the light up full you are over loading the circuit and GFI trips. Try to unplug some other stuff and then try again with GFI.

Sunny

I would hope that he would realize that other stuff was going off also. My vote is still a bad outlet lol

 

[Tonyscoots84]

Be very careful with that unit. I would have it checked out....

 

[jnelson]

Hey guys thanks for the responses. Just to clarify a few things:

- This is a plug-in GFCI outlet, not a hardwired one. So it goes from Light -> GFCI Plugin Outlet -> Wall outlet (non GFCI).
- The only things that went off were the ones attached to the GFCI. Nothing else in my apartment went off.
- When I plug the light into the wall direct, it doesn't trip the breaker or cause any issues otherwise.
- Light is a Maxspect G2 110w. Not sure if this particular model has had problems in the past?

I am also hoping it's just the outlet itself at this point so I'll try replacing that first.

 

[jaa1456]

Hey guys thanks for the responses. Just to clarify a few things:

- This is a plug-in GFCI outlet, not a hardwired one. So it goes from Light -> GFCI Plugin Outlet -> Wall outlet (non GFCI).
- The only things that went off were the ones attached to the GFCI. Nothing else in my apartment went off.
- When I plug the light into the wall direct, it doesn't trip the breaker or cause any issues otherwise.
- Light is a Maxspect G2 110w. Not sure if this particular model has had problems in the past?

I am also hoping it's just the outlet itself at this point so I'll try replacing that first.

Some people don't read, and just respond.

 

[sjsoto]

When I encounter similar problems it has to do with the amperage. Sometimes the amperage is not the same there for causing it to trip. If the gfi is 15 amp but outlet is 20 it won't handle the load. Other than that don't know what may be causing it other than the reasons stated above. Good luck figuring out what's causing it and let us know how it goes.

 

[edd]

gfi is a ground fault interrupter it doesn't trip from too much amperage draw it trips from a ground problem. plug the light in your kitchen or bath gfi and see if it trips if it doesn't then your plug in gfi is ng. if it does i would think theirs some thing wrong with your light ground.

 

[Custom05Taco]

gfi is a ground fault interrupter it doesn't trip from too much amperage draw it trips from a ground problem. plug the light in your kitchen or bath gfi and see if it trips if it doesn't then your plug in gfi is ng. if it does i would think theirs some thing wrong with your light ground.

+1 Ground Fault

 

[jnelson]

Wanted to give an update. The cooling fan in the unit was shorting out. I ended up having to replace it with a new fan but haven't had the problem since.

Thanks for your help guys!

 

[masterswimmer]

Nice CSI work Joe.

Russ

 

[Tonyscoots84]

Wanted to give an update. The cooling fan in the unit was shorting out. I ended up having to replace it with a new fan but haven't had the problem since.

Thanks for your help guys!

Who said we needed to learn how to read? Glad to be of help