GFCI keeps tripping. Is it my light or GFCI circuit?

lowrez · 07-04-2012, 01:30 AM

So I have a GLO 2xT5 HO light I've had for about 3 years and it ran perfectly at my old house and never tripped my in wall GFCI plug. I have a plug in 6 outlet GFCI that is about 2 years old I used to run on my 10 gallon's T8 & accessories without issue. I had to move into a temporary place and combine the two and the GFCI kept tripping when I would kick the light back on after the timer went out and occasionally I would come home and it would be off. I finally moved into my new house and the same thing is happening. I tested the line and everything is wired correctly and grounded. Is the problem with the ballast in the light or do I have a faulty GFCI?

PlantedRich · 07-04-2012, 02:04 AM

It would take a bit of experiment to tell for sure but I suspect the GFCI. One would have to connect the light to a different GFCI and see it trip to say it was the light. But then GFCI are semi-famous for getting weak and tripping. Any chance of getting another GFCI locally that could be returned if not needed? If it trips also when the light is in, then the light shines on the light fixture having a fault. False tripping is not truly false. It is saying something is wrong but knowing which is at fault is the problem.

lowrez · 07-04-2012, 02:43 AM

GFCI's aren't cheap, so I was trying to save a purchase to troubleshoot. I guess I'll start there. Thanks.

07-04-2012, 01:30 AM	#1
lowrez Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Knoxville Posts: 67	GFCI keeps tripping. Is it my light or GFCI circuit? So I have a GLO 2xT5 HO light I've had for about 3 years and it ran perfectly at my old house and never tripped my in wall GFCI plug. I have a plug in 6 outlet GFCI that is about 2 years old I used to run on my 10 gallon's T8 & accessories without issue. I had to move into a temporary place and combine the two and the GFCI kept tripping when I would kick the light back on after the timer went out and occasionally I would come home and it would be off. I finally moved into my new house and the same thing is happening. I tested the line and everything is wired correctly and grounded. Is the problem with the ballast in the light or do I have a faulty GFCI?

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07-04-2012, 02:04 AM	#2
PlantedRich Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pflugerville, Tx Posts: 1,513	It would take a bit of experiment to tell for sure but I suspect the GFCI. One would have to connect the light to a different GFCI and see it trip to say it was the light. But then GFCI are semi-famous for getting weak and tripping. Any chance of getting another GFCI locally that could be returned if not needed? If it trips also when the light is in, then the light shines on the light fixture having a fault. False tripping is not truly false. It is saying something is wrong but knowing which is at fault is the problem.

07-04-2012, 02:43 AM	#3
lowrez Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Knoxville Posts: 67	GFCI's aren't cheap, so I was trying to save a purchase to troubleshoot. I guess I'll start there. Thanks.