Aquarium lights trip arc fault

[readydave8]

This was beginning of thread several years ago, the surge suppressor mentioned has been discontinued, looking for filter to plug in to receptacle and aquarium leds plug in to filter
"
I've seen where a number of Forum members have suggested the use of filters to alleviate problems with AFCI breakers false tripping, but I have not seen any specific filters identified. Can anyone identify a filter or filters that are effective?"

 

[hbiss]

Nothing is designed for this and is commercially available. What has been suggested by some to try is wrapping each side of the line cord through a couple of ferrite cores. What size and from where who knows. Totally home-brew and not guaranteed to do anything.

The problem is with the AFCI. Have you tried replacing it with a newer one?

-Hal

 

[Russs57]

Didn’t read old post but if ferrite worked........see if you can find one of the older Trip-Lite power strips......big white metal case about the size and weight of a brick......has a couple of standard duplex receptacles.

They had some healthy sized inductors in them.

 

[hbiss]

Might try an isolation transformer or even a UPS. At least the fish tank will stay lit if they lose power. :lol:

-Hal

 

[ptonsparky]

Hmm, would a small load reator do any good? or at least not cause any harm?
Then again if it works, did you just negate the advantages of the AFCI? Assuming there are some.

Decisions, Decisions.

 

[readydave8]

The problem is with the AFCI. Have you tried replacing it with a newer one?

-Hal

These AFCIs are fairly new, installed within the past year

But I suspected cheap LED aquarium lights, since window unit AC and microwave won't trip it--unless aquarium lights are on

 

[jeremysterling]

If the aquarium light is flourescent, try changing the ballast.

 

[GoldDigger]

These AFCIs are fairly new, installed within the past year

But I suspected cheap LED aquarium lights, since window unit AC and microwave won't trip it--unless aquarium lights are on

Sounds like false direction of a series arc fault (arguably the more difficult to detect reliably). The signature may be constantly present, but cannot cause a trip until the circuit load current exceeds 7-8A.

A/C and microwave supply the required base load.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[ptonsparky]

These AFCIs are fairly new, installed within the past year

But I suspected cheap LED aquarium lights, since window unit AC and microwave won't trip it--unless aquarium lights are on

Do they have the diagnostic feature?

 

[readydave8]

Sounds like false direction of a series arc fault (arguably the more difficult to detect reliably). The signature may be constantly present, but cannot cause a trip until the circuit load current exceeds 7-8A.

A/C and microwave supply the required base load.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

That's what I thought too

 

[readydave8]

Do they have the diagnostic feature?

Have not bothered looking because I know is not tripping on overload or ground fault

This is at daughter's house not job

 

[ptonsparky]

Have not bothered looking because I know is not tripping on overload or ground fault

This is at daughter's house not job

Some will tell you if it is parallel or series fault.

Daughters house can wait, unless GC are involved.

 

[SpotA]

This minor damage can be repaired. I remember a year ago my friend asked for help about the same problem in social networks and received a lot of necessary recommendations. One of them he used and it turned out to be really useful. So good luck with this!

 

[readydave8]

This minor damage can be repaired. I remember a year ago my friend asked for help about the same problem in social networks and received a lot of necessary recommendations. One of them he used and it turned out to be really useful. So good luck with this!

I don't think I have any social networks, can you be more specific?

 

[Hv&Lv]

Almost two years old...

 

[readydave8]

Almost two years old...

Time goes by quickly when we only visit daughter in Boston a few times a year! So still not fixed. But going end of this month, and I thought there might be fresh ideas.

The AFCI breakers are obviously not as new as they were when I started this thread so I might try changing one.

 

[kwired]

I don't think I have any social networks, can you be more specific?

This site is a social network. Not as popular as Facebook or Twitter, but is still a social network.