cheap t12 and t8 fluorescent fictures tripping gfci


  #1  
Old 12-27-17, 10:41 PM
R
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 3
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
cheap t12 and t8 fluorescent fictures tripping gfci

We just upgraded power from anumber 80amp temp to a 200 amp meter main at our home construction site. We have a CONNEX storage container with three Light fixtures and three outlets. Code for the build site required wet rated gfci outlets which is what I installed. Now whenever the light switch is turned on in the CONNEX the gfci trips.
Thoughts?
Rich
 
  #2  
Old 12-27-17, 11:09 PM
PJmax's Avatar
Group Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Jersey
Posts: 63,896
Received 3,750 Upvotes on 3,362 Posts
It's pretty common for fluorescent ballasts to leak to ground. It's that leakage that is tripping the GFI. It could be one fixture or more. You'd need to plug in one at a time. If they are hardwired then you need to disconnect them one by one.
 
  #3  
Old 12-28-17, 05:56 AM
P
Group Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: NC, USA
Posts: 27,093
Received 2,009 Upvotes on 1,801 Posts
If you do find a bad fixture or ballast I would not bother fixing it. I would convert the fixture to LED using line voltage powered LED bulbs. This allows you to do away with the ballast, the lights will start in cold weather, use less energy and probably will be brighter.
 
  #4  
Old 12-31-17, 11:19 AM
CasualJoe's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: United States
Posts: 9,842
Received 179 Upvotes on 162 Posts
Code for the build site required wet rated gfci outlets which is what I installed.

Simple fix. Install a new circuit for the lights without the GFCI protection.
 
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
 
Ask a Question
Question Title:
Description:
Your question will be posted in: