PC Ballast and GFCI Problem

Pauli · 09-08-2006, 06:43 AM

Hi All,

Has anyone ever encountered a PC ballast that would keep tripping out the GFCI? It seems that mine is everytime I plug it in. I really do not want to take out the GFCI but I cannot run the PCs with it. Does anyone have a solution?

Thanks

Loverotties · 09-08-2006, 09:18 AM

Bad ballast,lose wire,bad GFCI outlet...etc

Pauli · 09-08-2006, 10:45 AM

The manufacturer of the lights state that the ballast might be incompatible with the GFCI. This seems alittle weird. I will check into the wires inside the ballast housing and maybe put in a different GFCI to see it it might be the cause.

Wiskey · 09-08-2006, 10:53 AM

I have 6 PC ballasts on GFI's, along with 2 T5 ballasts, and 2 MH ballasts, none of them pop the GFI. If this ballast does I would not use it.

Just my $0.02
Whiskey

coralcat · 09-08-2006, 11:02 AM

I have doul ballast on timers with gfi, one would keep tripping, I thought it was the gfi, it wasn't, it was the ballast, one of the doul, so, check it well. ya don't need a meltdown. aND YES, gfi'S CAN AND DO GO BAD, That's another reason they have a test butin.

Wolfenbuttel · 09-08-2006, 03:59 PM

depending on the type of gfci the manufacurs rating is different. The gfci is bad or u r getin a "nucence trip". All that is, is current flow back on the neutral of the gfci and trippin the button. A loose wire normaly wont do it. My guess is that the ballest is bad. Try plugging in another light and see if the gfci trips. U could also try changing the outlet to a standard outlet.

whatevva · 09-08-2006, 04:07 PM

Quote:

All that is, is current flow back on the neutral of the gfci and trippin the button.

Ummm... there is ALWAYS current flow on the neutral of a circuit in use. GFCI's trip on a reduction of resistance between neutral and ground or hot and ground, and NEVER hot to neutral.

Check to see if they grounded one side of the transformer to the case of the ballast. That would make neutral and ground common and trip a GFCI.

Loverotties · 09-08-2006, 06:41 PM

Hope you find it.

Pauli · 09-09-2006, 11:59 AM

It is still weird. There are two ballasts in the housing and each of them trip 3 different GFCIs. I have rma'd the ballasts. The manufacturer says that they are going to replace it. Now, ten days without PC. Good thing I have the mh.

Wolfenbuttel · 09-10-2006, 06:54 AM

understandable but if u take a digital tester to check for power on a gfci it will trip.