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12-27-17, 10:41 PM

rdubord

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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

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12-27-17, 11:09 PM

PJmax

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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.

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12-28-17, 05:56 AM

Pilot Dane

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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.

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12-31-17, 11:19 AM

CasualJoe

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Quote:

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.

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