Arc Fault Tripping

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harvey828

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I recently recevied a call from a customer concerning nuissance tripping of an arc fault breaker. It apparently has happened 3 or 4 times in the past couple months, but twice in the last week. The last two times, she says that she was either turning on or turning off the closet light. I have checked connections in the closet light switch and the fixture itself. All connections are good. The closet light is a 24" flourescent...could the ballast have something to do with this tripping? This is a new home...completed in May of 2004. I am open to any ideas you can provide...

Editted to add that the arc fault breaker is made by Seimens.

[ February 25, 2005, 12:01 AM: Message edited by: harvey828 ]
 
Re: Arc Fault Tripping

Harvey, There is a very good chance your Lt. fixture and/or wiring is not the problem. I would install a small square D sub panel for just the AFCI breakers. This type of nuissance tripping seems to be common with Siemens' version of the AFCI breaker. :(

just my opinion of course!

Dave
 
Re: Arc Fault Tripping

When afci first came out i asked an inspector what kind of problems we could exspect.His first statement was not to use them cheap 50 cent switches.Did you check for a good ground at the fixture.Other than that to save time change the fixture .
 
Re: Arc Fault Tripping

No, I haven't changed out the switch. I was making one of those dangerous assumptions and thinking that is is unlikely that the switch is bad after less than a year's service. But then we all know what assumptions do for us...

I did check to be sure that there was a good ground at the fixture.

I will change out the switch and see if that takes care of the problem. If not, I will move to the fixture, and finally to the ACFI. I just hate to have to keep making repeat visits, but at the same time, I would really like to know which solution fixes the problem... Process of elimination...
 
Re: Arc Fault Tripping

First post said it is a 2 ft flourescent.To me the last call he had was that it would trip when turning the light on or off ;) Leads me to assume ;)
 
Re: Arc Fault Tripping

:eek: Doh!

Guess I'd better clean my glasses.

Is the ballast electronic? Are there other fluorescent luminaires on the same AFCI protected circuit?

Remember, the arc has to have greater than 50 to 70 Amps to arm and trigger the AFCI electronics; or the ground fault has to get up around 30 milliamps.

One of the critisims of AFCIs is they don't respond to series arcs at load current levels.
 
Re: Arc Fault Tripping

:eek: Doh!

Guess I'd better clean my glasses.

Is the ballast electronic? Are there other fluorescent luminaires on the same AFCI protected circuit?

Remember, the arc has to have greater than 50 to 70 Amps to arm and trigger the AFCI electronics; or the ground fault has to get up around 30 milliamps.

One of the critisims of AFCIs is they don't respond to series arcs at load current levels.
 
Re: Arc Fault Tripping

My money is on the arc fault. Swap it out, I'm sure the problem will dissolve. The original Siemens AFCI's had no tolerance for fluorescents, but the newer ones are all right.

I've not yet seen a switch trip an arc fault. I've suspected from time to time, but never had a switch cause the trip.

Be sure that all fixtures' lamps are operational. A bad bulb or connection in an incandecent fixture unrelated to the symptoms can be the cause. Check out my horror story. :D
 
Re: Arc Fault Tripping

My money is on the arc fault. Swap it out, I'm sure the problem will dissolve. The original Siemens AFCI's had no tolerance for fluorescents, but the newer ones are all right.

I've not yet seen a switch trip an arc fault. I've suspected from time to time, but never had a switch cause the trip.

Be sure that all fixtures' lamps are operational. A bad bulb or connection in an incandecent fixture unrelated to the symptoms can be the cause.

my horror story
:D
 
Re: Arc Fault Tripping

I use to use Simkar undercounter lights in closets and had to stop using them because they keep my AFCI's tripping. Seriously, everyone I've ever installed has caused unwanted tripping. I've since switched to a simple 12 inch Simkar florecent it has stopped. Just the undercounter lights caused this.
 
Re: Arc Fault Tripping

more fodder for our trades enron?

at least George Spencer (google Zlan) had the good grace to write congress a letter distancing himself from the product

Guess he knew he didn't have the connections Kenny boy lay had eh?

~RJ~
 
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